Watching the lightning during a thunderstorm, a natural desire to curb this powerful electrical energy and direct it for the benefit of mankind. And at a recent Boston 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston), in his report, Professor Fernando Galembek (Fernando Galembeck) from the University of Campinas (University of Campinas) told of the discovery, which may be a first step toward that dream. His laboratory experiments were conducted to obtain an electric current from the atmosphere.
In an environment of humid air sprayed tiny particles of silica and aluminum phosphate. Over time, particles of quartz acquired a negative charge, and aluminum phosphate - yes, that created a potential difference to form an electric current.
Based on data obtained during the research, scientists are developing a device that can receive energy virtually out of nowhere, moving from humid air. Scientists believe these devices will become an alternative to solar cells in areas with high humidity, where high clouds and a little light. Also mounted on tall buildings, will be able to remove built-up tension in the air, carrying out, in addition, the function of lightning rods.
At the end of the report, among his colleagues broke Discussion. At the discussions there were questions about the validity of the results and practical applications. After the charge, thus obtained is incredibly small, many, many times less solar cell produced. However, all agreed in one opinion that studies are interesting and worth continuing.
