The method developed this "snow-based triboelectric nanogenerator", which contains a layer of silicone and an electrode that captures charge. Since the manufacturing method is simple and easy and the silicone is easily available, the equipment is inexpensive to produce.


In the new device, the falling snow is positively charged and emits electrons; the silicone is composed of silicon atoms, oxygen atoms combined with carbon, hydrogen and other elements, and is negatively charged. When falling snow contacts the surface of the silicone, it generates electric charge that is captured by new equipment to generate electricity.


Mae El-Kadi, a postdoctoral fellow in chemistry and biochemistry at UCLA, explains: “The snow is charged, why not introduce another material with opposite charges and capture the charge to generate electricity? After testing a large amount of materials, including aluminum foil and Teflon, we found that silicones generate more charge than any other material."


Richard Cana, UCLA's Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, said: "The device can work in remote areas because it can generate electricity by itself. This is also a very smart device, a The weather station can tell you the amount of snowfall, the direction of snowfall, and the direction of the wind and wind."


Al-Cadi pointed out that every winter, about 30% of the earth's surface is covered by snow. During this period, solar panels are often inoperable, and new equipment can be integrated into the panels to provide a continuous supply of electricity when it snows.


Cana said the device can also be used for monitoring winter sports such as skiing to more accurately assess and improve the performance of athletes while running, walking or jumping; it is also expected to open up a new generation of self-powered wearable devices for tracking athletes. And its performance.