What is the relationship between nanotechnology and energy? Nanotechnology may drive a new revolution in energy? The 11th Eni's Frontier Energy Awards fully affirmed the prospects of nano-generators used in the new era of energy, and awarded the award to foreign academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. , Academician of the European Academy of Sciences, Wang Zhonglin, director of the Institute of Nano-Energy and Systems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is also recognized for his status as the 'father of nano-generators'.
The Eni Award is hailed as the 'Nobel Prize' in the world of energy, and the Turing Award in the computer world, the Fields Medal in the mathematics and the Wolf Prize. It is also called the highest award in their respective fields. What impact will the academician's award-winning achievements have on energy? What are the difficulties behind the development of more than a decade? With these questions, the reporter of China Energy News interviewed the leading scientist of the 'Nano Empire'.
Nano-generators that convert surrounding low-frequency energy into electrical energy
China Energy News: The Eni Awards Organizing Committee awarded you the Eni's Frontier Energy Award on July 23, which research results were awarded?
Wang Zhonglin: This Eni Award mainly recognizes some of the cutting-edge scientific research results based on the theory and technology of nano-generators. It is an affirmation of my invention of nano-generators and the creation of two original fields of self-driven systems and blue energy, as well as nano-generators. Applied in the field of energy and sensing, such as the Internet of Things, sensor networks, environmental protection, artificial intelligence, etc.
China Energy News: What is a nano-generator? What are the original advantages of the nano-generators that you led the team? What problems have been solved?
Wang Zhonglin: Nano-generator, a regular-based nano-generator of zinc oxide nanowires, converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in the nanometer range. It is the world's smallest generator. Our nano-generator results are original. First, nano-generators The theory is completely original. Unlike traditional electromagnetic power generation, which uses conduction current, nano-generators use the displacement current proposed by Maxwell. The former is the cornerstone of our current large energy source, while the latter is applied to distributed energy. In addition to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, the second effective way to turn mechanical work into an electrician in 180 years. In addition, we have original disciplines - piezoelectric electronics and piezoelectric optoelectronics; original technology - friction nanogenerators And self-driven systems; original concept - we refer to nano-generators as 'new era energy', that is, distributed, mobile, low-power but large number of small power networks for the Internet of Things and sensor networks. These theories, disciplines, techniques and concepts are all first proposed by us, and we lead the world in this field.
The biggest problem solved by these theories and technologies is to effectively use the low-frequency energy in the environment and convert it into electric energy, which provides a new way. The traditional electromagnetic generator needs a high frequency to generate electricity, and the low-frequency energy is converted into electric energy. Impossible. The most common and most common in life is low-frequency energy less than 5-10 Hz. In fact, we can use the dynamics of the surrounding environment to generate electricity. The birth of nano-generator theory is the effective use of these environments for humans. The low-frequency energy in the middle of the way through the physical aspects.
From the point of view of technical application, our theory solves the problem that the system device relies heavily on external power supply or battery. It can realize self-intake of surrounding energy and convert it into electric energy, realize self-power supply and self-drive. This application is very extensive. For the Internet of Things, sensor networks, industrial devices in the era of big data, distributed mobile power supply, providing a new, possible energy supply solution for the arrival of the Internet of Things era.
Blue energy, from 'small energy' to 'big energy' 'killer' application
China Energy News: What is your consideration of the 'blue energy' concept?
Wang Zhonglin: Nano-generators are different from traditional electromagnetic generators. The advantage is that they can convert low-frequency energy in the environment into electrical energy, such as walking of people, beating of heart pulse... Later, I saw the tides of the sea, facing Irregular waves of waves, I wonder, can our nanogenerators also collect these irregular low-frequency energies and convert them into electricity?
Based on this, I proposed the concept of 'blue energy' in 2014. It can be said that this concept is the result of my continuous thinking and research on the theory of nano-generator technology. It is expected to solve the problem that human beings cannot use the wave on a large scale. The problem of energy is also the 'killer' application of moving nano-generators from 'small energy' to 'big energy'.
China Energy News: What is the 'killer' application?
Wang Zhonglin: Simply put, the basic principle of 'Blue Energy' technology is to make a large-scale grid nano-generator consisting of many friction-generator balls, layered in deep waters far from the coast and channel, without affecting the human activities in the offshore. Theoretical calculations, for a sea area of the size of Shandong Province, if it is filled with water grids in a depth of 10 meters, its power generation can meet the world's energy needs.
Now our team has made better progress in technology research and development based on the previous research, and the materials used are cheap, suitable for mass production and commercialization. We are full of confidence in this.
China Energy News: What is your biggest touch in the development of nano-generators?
Wang Zhonglin: Nano-generators have been researched and developed since 2006, and now it has been almost 12 years. In these 12 years, our research has faced many difficulties, and even many questions. But we firmly believe that each step has left a solid footprint.
There are many things that are impressive, but the deepest feelings are not specific events but a deep understanding and understanding of originality. We always pay attention to and emphasize originality, then what is original? I think, not every scholar can have such profound Comprehend. I think, originality is - others did not expect, you think of it; others thought but did not do, you did; after you do, others think it is wrong, not correct, you insist on doing it; others say you do It doesn't make sense, you stick to it; you insist on failures in the process, face ridicule and irony, still insist, and ultimately succeed. This process usually takes 10-20 years, or even longer. So, originality is generally They are all made in questioning and even attacking. From the very beginning, they are basically optimistic. There is basically no major originality. This is the most impressive feeling in the process of developing nano-generator technology. It is really a 'single ride alone' Now, there are more than 40 countries and regions in the world, more than 400 units, more than 3,000 researchers are engaged in the research and application of nano-generators. The team that is at the forefront is me and my team.
Prospects are promising, and it is expected to achieve self-driving system
China Energy News: What are the problems to be solved in order to achieve large-scale commercial development?
Wang Zhonglin: Because nano-generators are not demanding materials, low in cost, and the theory and technology are becoming more and more mature, the industrialization prospects will be very good. Our research results are basically oriented to social applications, and it has been grounded, and has obtained more than 150 items. Patents, these patents can basically be industrialized quickly. But we are scientists, research is our specialty, and it is our shortcoming to engage in products and market. Even so, our industrialization has achieved initial success. For example, we use the friction electric air purification technology to establish the company's established Zhongke Naqing Technology Co., Ltd., the production of new technology mode friction electric mask and fresh air system, etc., have been initially recognized by the market.
From the perspective of industrialization practice, we believe that the transfer of scientific research results requires the government to match the bridge and the necessary policy support; on the other hand, it is necessary to give researchers full autonomy and stimulate everyone's enthusiasm.
China Energy News: What are the future R&D priorities of the team?
Wang Zhonglin: Next, we will focus on the development of triboelectric air purification systems for the treatment of vehicle exhaust pollution, focusing on the development and application of blue energy technologies. Further development of large-scale sensing arrays, self-driven smart keyboards, wearable flexibility Self-powered modules, wireless self-powered monitoring systems, self-driven medical devices and flexible electronic skin applications.
China Energy News: What changes will your research bring to the energy sector?
Wang Zhonglin: I am confident in the application of our research results in energy.
First, as human society moves toward the Internet of Things, sensor networks, and the era of big data, not only traditional large energy sources, but also small energy sources based on nano-generators will be needed. These small energy sources will complement traditional big energy sources. To bring more comprehensive and reliable energy supply channels and methods to human society.
Secondly, our blue energy will also open up new fields for 'big energy'. Humans have developed and utilized the wave energy and tidal energy of the vast ocean on a large scale. I don't think it is a distant dream.
Finally, with the maturity and promotion of nano-generator technology, I believe that future electronic devices will increasingly get rid of the dependence of external power supply. Self-driven systems will be distributed, independent, and miniaturized for human electronic devices. , diversification opens up broad prospects.