On the Mechanism of Hydrovoltaic Power Generation: Insights Into the Design and Function of Hydrovoltaic Devices

As it becomes increasingly apparent that a reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and damaging to the environment, scientists are working to identify novel sources of sustainable energy. Recently, the field of hydrovoltaics has emerged enabling the generation of renewable power from the transfer of ambient thermal energy involved in water evaporation. Since the first hydrovoltaic devices were reported in 2017 significant progress has been made in increasing the power outputs of devices, with a view to enabling real-world applications, but questions remain regarding the mechanism of power generation. In order to realize the application of hydrovoltaic devices as renewable energy sources, it is important that we improve our understanding of the hydrovoltaic mechanism as well as the relationships between device characteristics and power outputs. To accomplish these goals, this thesis focuses on the performance of hydrovoltaic devices as related to measurement conditions and device structures, and their implications regarding the mechanism of power generation. In this thesis, (1) the structure and function of electrodes on hydrovoltaic devices is explored, probing the mechanism of conductivity in device circuits and demonstrating that device designs can be tailored for optimal performance in real-world conditions. (2) The performance of hydrovoltaic devices is evaluated in a variety of solvents and the role of ions in the hydrovoltaic mechanism is probed from a fundamental perspective. The implications of results with regards to the mechanism of power generation is discussed in each study, and the insights gained are used to make suggestions for the future development and design of hydrovoltaic devices.

Department dc:contributor.department

Chemistry

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Kay, George

Advisor dc:contributor.supervisor

• Stamplecoskie, Kevin

• Hydrovoltaics
• Streaming potential
• Renewable energy
• Electrodes

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1974/33414

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/33414