this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2023
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[–] rcmaehl 52 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The device they have come up with is the size of a thumbnail, one-fifth the width of a human hair, and capable of generating roughly one microwatt – enough to light a single pixel on a large LED screen.

So probably only going to be usable for low power devices for a while

[–] TehWorld 34 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The size almost seems like a feature. If it’s durable at all, you make a scale-maile coat that dehumidifies the sweat off of you and provides power for some sensors or something? The article mentions a washing machine size box that would power your whole house (but I’ll bet getting humidity to the middle would be a challenge for that form factor.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago

Imagine these being built into existing air conditioning units. In the right area they could reasonably power themselves.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Depends on if it can scale and how far apart each has to be from another. A single windmill is not as impressive but you get a field of them you generate much more, hopefully it can get closer to a solar panel and be spread along a large are.

Imagine dead space being utalized as a supliment.

[–] OptimalAutomation 6 points 1 year ago

That seems to be the main crux for all new forms of energy. I feel like I’m always reading an article about some new form of energy that has lots of potential but never hear about it again as it had no scalability. Hoping this pans out but I’m always skeptical of these types of articles until they actually become something.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It would for places that don't have enough sunlight 🤔