Smoke and Motion
Since the First Industrial Revolution, which began in the second half of the 18th century with the popularization of the steam engine, modern society has been simultaneously increasing its demand for energy and raising environmental pollution levels. Studies by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have shown a 40% increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the last 250 years, mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels. This is one of the main causes of the “greenhouse effect,” responsible for increasing the temperature of the planet with potentially devastating consequences on biodiversity and, therefore, on the very evolution of the human race.
The quest for greater energy efficiency and renewable sources — such as solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal — has become critical, both for economic and survival reasons. Consumer electronics production and the construction industry are trying to prioritize projects and implementations with limited environmental impact, simulating through computer programs variables that can affect structural behavior, its energy consumption and waste generation. At the same time, improvements in urban infrastructure are also sought, with LED street lamps, sensors to cut energy consumption and, as discussed here, new meters and home energy storage systems, allowing stored power to be used at peak periods (during which consumer rates are more expensive).
Another ongoing change relates to the electrical grid infrastructure, with the use of distributed energy resources (DERs). Usually located close to the end user, these energy sources (such as wind farms, batteries, solar panels, and generators) are directly connected to the power grid. They even out consumption patterns, producing energy that can be used immediately, stored and used at peak times, returned to the grid (reducing expenses) or deployed in the event of an infrastructure failure.
It was by looking into the relationship between energy generation and air pollutants that researchers from the University of Antwerp and the University of Leuven in Belgium developed a device that purifies the air while generating energy. Led by Professor Sammy Verbruggen, the scientists essentially built an air purifier that uses a membrane made of nanomaterials to keep hydrogen separated and stored for later use as a clean source of energy.
Another innovative form of energy production under research harnesses movement. Professor Cary Pint of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University, in Tennessee, coordinates a research project which uses layers of black phosphorus that are only a few atoms thick. When the material is bent or pressed at frequencies typically present when a person walks, a small electric current is generated. As it is a nanoscale material, it can be incorporated into clothing — in other words, you could charge your phone battery simply by moving around. Other applications include sensors to monitor vital signs, such as heart and respiratory rate.
Besides energy, the use of new materials is becoming more frequent in several sectors: medical, manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace are just a few examples. In our next article we will address how technology applied to materials sciences will bring about important changes to our day-to-day life. See you then.