12.1 Bioinspired materials for energy harvesting and storage
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Nature's ingenious energy solutions inspire cutting-edge technologies. From photovoltaics mimicking to imitating bone, scientists are creating efficient, sustainable energy harvesters. These bio-inspired designs promise cleaner power generation and innovative storage solutions.
Biological systems also offer blueprints for energy storage. Enzyme-powered fuel cells and batteries using organic compounds show potential for renewable, eco-friendly power sources. These advancements could revolutionize how we produce, store, and use energy in the future.
Bioinspired Energy Harvesting
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices
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- Photovoltaics convert light energy into electrical energy using materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect
- Organic photovoltaics are inspired by photosynthesis and use organic semiconductors (polymers, small molecules) to absorb light and generate charge carriers
- Quantum dot photovoltaics use nanocrystals of semiconductors (CdSe, PbS) that can tune their absorption spectrum by changing their size
- Perovskite solar cells use hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials (methylammonium lead iodide) that have high absorption coefficients and long charge carrier diffusion lengths
Bio-inspired Solar Energy Conversion
- mimics the process of natural photosynthesis to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into fuels (hydrogen, hydrocarbons)
- use a porous network of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide coated with a molecular dye that absorbs sunlight, similar to chlorophyll in plants
- The dye injects electrons into the TiO2 conduction band, which are then collected at a transparent electrode
- A (iodide/triiodide) regenerates the dye and transports the holes to the counter electrode
Piezoelectric and Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting
- Piezoelectric materials generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress, inspired by the piezoelectric effect in bone and collagen
- Common piezoelectric materials include (PZT), (PVDF), and
- Applications include energy harvesting from vibrations, pressure, and motion (footsteps, heartbeats, wind, waves)
- convert temperature differences into electrical energy using the , inspired by biological thermal regulation
- Thermoelectric devices consist of p-type and n-type semiconductor elements connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel
- Materials with high Seebeck coefficients, electrical conductivity, and low thermal conductivity (, ) are used to maximize efficiency
Bioinspired Energy Storage
Biological Fuel Cells
- use enzymes or microorganisms to catalyze the oxidation of renewable fuels (glucose, ethanol) and the reduction of oxygen to generate electricity
- use isolated redox enzymes (glucose oxidase, laccase) immobilized on electrodes to achieve high specificity and efficiency
- use living microorganisms (bacteria, algae) that oxidize organic matter and transfer electrons to the anode, with applications in wastewater treatment and remote power
- Advantages of biofuel cells include mild operating conditions, renewable catalysts, and the ability to use complex fuels (biomass, waste)
Bio-inspired Electrochemical Energy Storage
- store energy through the adsorption of ions at the interface between a high surface area electrode (activated carbon, graphene) and an electrolyte
- use reversible redox reactions at the electrode surface (metal oxides, conducting polymers) to achieve higher capacitance
- Biological materials (cellulose, lignin, proteins) can be used as sustainable precursors for porous carbon electrodes
- use organic compounds (quinones, flavins) or biomolecules (peptides, DNA) as active electrode materials for rechargeable batteries
- These materials can be derived from renewable sources and offer high theoretical capacities and reversible redox chemistry
- Examples include peptide-based lithium-ion batteries, DNA-based sodium-ion batteries, and quinone-based flow batteries
Key Terms to Review (34)
Artificial Photosynthesis: Artificial photosynthesis is a process that mimics natural photosynthesis, enabling the conversion of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into organic compounds and oxygen. This technology seeks to replicate the way plants harness solar energy to produce energy-rich substances, playing a crucial role in sustainable energy solutions and advancing our understanding of energy harvesting.
Biobatteries: Biobatteries are energy storage devices that harness biological materials or processes to convert biochemical energy into electrical energy. They represent a fascinating intersection of biology and technology, utilizing renewable resources such as enzymes, bacteria, or plant materials to generate power sustainably and efficiently.
Biofuel cells: Biofuel cells are devices that convert biochemical energy from biological materials into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. They utilize enzymes or microorganisms to catalyze the oxidation of organic substrates, offering a sustainable and renewable energy source. These cells mimic natural processes to harvest energy, making them a key innovation in the realm of energy harvesting and storage.
Bismuth Telluride: Bismuth telluride is a thermoelectric material that is widely used for energy harvesting and refrigeration applications. This compound exhibits exceptional thermoelectric efficiency, which allows it to convert temperature differences directly into electrical voltage, making it a key player in the development of bioinspired materials designed to mimic natural energy harvesting processes.
Dye-sensitized solar cells: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a type of photovoltaic device that utilizes organic dye molecules to absorb sunlight and generate electricity. These cells are inspired by the natural process of photosynthesis, where light energy is converted into chemical energy. DSSCs offer a unique combination of low production costs, ease of fabrication, and flexibility, making them a promising technology for sustainable energy harvesting.
Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency refers to the ability of a system or process to use less energy while providing the same level of output or service. This concept plays a crucial role in minimizing energy consumption and reducing environmental impact, making it vital in the development of sustainable technologies and practices across various fields.
Enzymatic biofuel cells: Enzymatic biofuel cells are devices that convert biochemical energy from substrates, such as glucose or alcohol, into electrical energy using enzymes as biocatalysts. These cells mimic natural processes to efficiently generate power, showcasing the potential of bioinspired materials in energy harvesting and storage. By utilizing enzymes, these biofuel cells can operate under mild conditions and often produce less environmental impact compared to traditional fuel cells.
Gecko foot: The gecko foot is a specialized limb of geckos that allows them to adhere to surfaces through a unique combination of microscopic structures called setae. These setae are composed of tiny hair-like projections that increase the surface area for adhesion, enabling geckos to climb vertical walls and even traverse ceilings effortlessly. This remarkable ability has inspired the development of bioinspired materials aimed at improving energy harvesting and storage technologies, as researchers explore how these natural mechanisms can be mimicked in synthetic applications.
Janine Benyus: Janine Benyus is a biologist, author, and innovation consultant recognized for her advocacy of biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature to solve human challenges. She emphasizes the idea that nature's designs and systems can inspire sustainable solutions in various fields, fostering a deeper connection between technology and the natural world.
Lead zirconate titanate: Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is a ceramic perovskite material known for its piezoelectric properties, which means it can generate an electric charge in response to mechanical stress. This unique property makes PZT a critical material in energy harvesting and storage applications, particularly in converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, making it bioinspired for various uses in technology and medicine.
Lightweight structures: Lightweight structures are architectural and engineering designs that prioritize minimizing mass while maintaining strength and stability. These structures often draw inspiration from natural forms and processes, leveraging innovative materials and designs to achieve high performance with reduced weight. This approach is particularly significant in applications related to energy harvesting and storage, as reducing weight can enhance efficiency and functionality.
Lithium-sulfur batteries: Lithium-sulfur batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium as the anode and sulfur as the cathode, known for their high energy density and low cost. These batteries are gaining attention for their potential to store more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries, making them a promising option for energy storage applications. Their unique chemistry allows for lightweight construction, making them suitable for portable electronics and electric vehicles.
Lotus Leaf: The lotus leaf is a large, flat leaf of the lotus plant, known for its unique surface properties that repel water and dirt. This remarkable characteristic is due to its hierarchical microstructure, which plays a significant role in both natural ecosystems and the development of bioinspired materials aimed at energy harvesting and storage. The lotus leaf's ability to maintain cleanliness while providing structural support is an example of how nature optimizes functionality through design.
Mechanical energy harvesting: Mechanical energy harvesting is the process of capturing and converting mechanical energy from various sources, such as vibrations, movements, or pressure changes, into usable electrical energy. This technology is increasingly important as it allows for the powering of small devices and sensors without the need for batteries, promoting sustainability and efficiency in energy usage.
Microbial Fuel Cells: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical systems that convert organic matter into electricity using the metabolic processes of microorganisms. These systems harness the natural abilities of bacteria to break down organic substrates while simultaneously generating electrical energy, making them a promising technology for sustainable energy production and waste treatment.
MIT Biomimetic Lab: The MIT Biomimetic Lab is a research facility at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that focuses on studying nature's designs and processes to inspire innovative engineering solutions. By analyzing biological structures and functions, the lab aims to develop new materials and technologies that can improve energy harvesting and storage systems, among other applications. This connection to nature helps researchers create more sustainable and efficient alternatives to conventional materials.
Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scales, typically within the range of 1 to 100 nanometers. This technology allows for the design and creation of materials with unique properties that differ significantly from their larger-scale counterparts. In the context of bioinspired materials for energy harvesting and storage, nanotechnology plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of devices by mimicking natural processes and structures.
Natural Composites: Natural composites are materials that consist of two or more distinct components derived from nature, typically combining a matrix and a reinforcement to enhance structural performance. These materials take advantage of the unique properties of their components, leading to improved strength, lightweight characteristics, and better resistance to environmental factors. They often mimic the design principles found in biological systems, which can inform the development of innovative bioinspired materials for energy harvesting and storage.
Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which green plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using carbon dioxide and water as raw materials. This process not only provides essential energy for these organisms but also produces oxygen as a byproduct, making it crucial for life on Earth and influencing energy harvesting techniques in biomimetic materials.
Photovoltaic Materials: Photovoltaic materials are substances that convert light energy directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. These materials play a crucial role in the development of solar cells, which harness sunlight to generate electricity, making them integral to sustainable energy solutions and advancements in bioinspired materials for energy harvesting and storage.
Piezoelectric materials: Piezoelectric materials are substances that generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. This unique property allows them to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa, making them essential in various applications such as sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting systems.
Polyvinylidene fluoride: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a highly non-reactive and pure thermoplastic fluoropolymer, known for its outstanding chemical resistance, high thermal stability, and piezoelectric properties. Its unique characteristics make it an essential material in applications related to energy harvesting and storage, particularly in devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy or store it efficiently.
Pseudocapacitors: Pseudocapacitors are electrochemical devices that store energy through fast surface redox reactions, bridging the gap between traditional capacitors and batteries. They have a high power density similar to capacitors while offering higher energy density akin to batteries, making them attractive for applications in energy storage systems. Their operation involves faradaic processes that allow for charge transfer at the electrode surface, enabling quick charging and discharging capabilities.
Redox Electrolyte: A redox electrolyte is a substance that can undergo reduction and oxidation reactions, facilitating electron transfer in electrochemical cells. These electrolytes are crucial for energy storage and harvesting systems, as they enable the movement of ions and electrons, which is essential for converting chemical energy into electrical energy or vice versa.
Seebeck Effect: The Seebeck Effect is the phenomenon where a voltage is generated across two different conductive materials when there is a temperature difference between them. This effect is foundational in thermoelectric materials, which convert heat energy into electrical energy, making them critical for energy harvesting and storage applications inspired by natural processes.
Self-healing capabilities: Self-healing capabilities refer to the ability of materials to automatically repair damage without external intervention. This property is inspired by biological systems, which can heal wounds and regenerate tissues, making these materials particularly attractive for applications in energy harvesting and storage where longevity and reliability are crucial.
Silicon Germanium: Silicon germanium is a semiconductor material made from a combination of silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). This alloy exhibits improved electrical properties, making it particularly useful in high-speed electronic devices, photonics, and energy applications. Its tunable bandgap and enhanced electron mobility provide advantages over pure silicon, especially in energy harvesting and storage technologies.
Smart Materials: Smart materials are materials that have the ability to change their properties in response to external stimuli, such as temperature, moisture, stress, or electric and magnetic fields. This adaptability allows them to mimic natural processes and structures, making them incredibly valuable in various applications ranging from medicine to construction.
Supercapacitor electrodes: Supercapacitor electrodes are conductive materials that store electrical energy through electrostatic charge separation rather than chemical reactions, providing high power density and rapid charge/discharge capabilities. These electrodes play a critical role in enhancing the performance of supercapacitors, which are increasingly utilized for energy harvesting and storage applications, especially in bioinspired technologies.
Supercapacitors: Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that have a high power density and can charge and discharge rapidly, making them ideal for applications requiring quick bursts of energy. They bridge the gap between traditional capacitors and batteries, offering benefits like longer cycle life and improved safety, especially in energy harvesting and storage systems inspired by natural processes.
Sustainable Materials: Sustainable materials are resources that are designed to minimize environmental impact while being economically viable and socially responsible. These materials are often sourced from renewable resources, and their production and disposal are managed in ways that reduce harm to the environment. The goal is to create products that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, particularly in energy harvesting and storage applications.
Synthetic Polymers: Synthetic polymers are man-made macromolecules formed by the polymerization of monomers, typically through chemical processes. They are designed to mimic or enhance natural materials, offering diverse properties that can be tailored for various applications, especially in energy harvesting and storage technologies.
Thermoelectric materials: Thermoelectric materials are substances that can convert temperature differences directly into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect, or vice versa via the Peltier effect. These materials are essential for energy harvesting and storage applications, especially in bioinspired systems that mimic natural processes for efficient energy conversion. Their performance is measured by the dimensionless figure of merit, ZT, which indicates their effectiveness in converting heat to electricity.
Zinc oxide nanowires: Zinc oxide nanowires are one-dimensional nanostructures composed of zinc oxide (ZnO), exhibiting unique electrical, optical, and piezoelectric properties. These properties make them particularly interesting for applications in energy harvesting and storage, as they can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy efficiently.