Energy generation
Read all about our energy research including energy conversion, triboelectric and thermoelectric generation.
Flexible organic solar cells
Hybrid SCs offer numerous application possibilities. They can be rolled and used as a lightweight solar charger or integrated in the facades and windows of buildings improving the aesthetic appearance while generating green electricity at low cost.
Triboelectric generation
Triboelectricity is a commonly observed phenomenon in day-to-day life, it occurs when two surfaces contact or rub against each other to generate static charge, a classic example being rubbing a balloon and sticking it to the wall.
Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) utilise the generation of static charge to effectively convert mechanical energy in to electrical energy. These devices have exhibited the potential to generate high power outputs at high efficiency and low cost. TENGs have been successfully demonstrated as a suitable option for applications in energy harvesting as well as self-powered sensors, paving the way for smart textiles.
We are investigating the fundamental sciences of TENGs as well as their potential applications. By employing custom built sub-micron precise automated motion control systems, and ultra-sensitive electrical characterisation units, we are performing high precision characterisations of these devices, allowing us to further develop the necessary material advances required to meet the current consumer demands.
Focus areas
- Theoretical study of the working principle of TENGs
- Characterisation of the fundamental behaviour of different modes of TENG structures
- Enhancing of the power output of TENGs using nanomaterial-based modifications
- High efficient textile-based TENGs for wearable electronics
- Electrospun nano-fibre TENGs.
Figure 1: Triboelectric nanogenerators to harvest an unattended or waste bio-mechanical energies to power portable electronic devices. Distance-dependent electric field (DDEF) model to understand the working mechanism of TENGs and optimisation of its key parameters.
Figure 2: New alcohol treatment technique used to develop a micro-patterned silk-based biocompatible TENG with greater durability, even under harsh environments. Employed to harness human movements to generate electricity and to power the portable electronics.
Figure 3: Demonstration of novel method for realising a DC TENG, by shifting the phase of a series of built TENG units which act as the poles of the device.
Figure 4: Use of discarded and eco-friendly triboelectric materials towards robust, humid-resistant soft-pouch-like TENGs for smart sensing and transportation applications. Electrical performance of TENGs are further validated by the theoretical DDEF model.
The University of Surrey and Professor Ravi Silva were featured on BBC News explaining more about TENGs.
Publications
- Bhaskar Dudem, RD Ishara G Dharmasena, Sontyana Adonijah Graham, Jung Woo Leem, Harishkumarreddy Patnam, Anki Reddy Mule, S Ravi P Silva*, and Jae Su Yu*, Exploring theoretical and experimental optimization towards high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators using microarchitecture silk cocoon films. Nano Energy, 2020, 74, 104822.
- RD Ishara G Dharmasena, H.M. Cronin, R.A. Dorey, and S Ravi P Silva*, Direct current contact-mode triboelectric nanogenerators via systematic phase shifting. Nano Energy, 2020,75, 104887.
- Bhaskar Dudem, Sontyana Adonijah Graham, RD Ishara G Dharmasena, S Ravi P Silva*, and Jae Su Yu*, Natural silk-composite enabled versatile robust triboelectric nanogenerators for smart applications. Nano Energy, 2021 (Just accepted).
Energy conversion
From our inception, we have been actively involved in research on energy conversion techniques. The research has focused on two fundamental aspects; Photovoltaic devices for converting solar radiation to electricity and light emitting diodes (LEDs) converting electrical energy to optical radiation with high efficiency.
Photovoltaic device research has been conducted on a number of themes. The research ranges from inorganic material based thin film semiconductor solar cells to fourth generation organic-inorganic hybrid thin film devices. We are concentrating on utilising the advantages of organic and inorganic material systems in hybrid photovoltaic systems, using our core expertise in nanotechnology.
Carbon nanotubes are utilised in these novel device architectures, as solution processable, flexible electrodes for photo-generated charge collection and transport. Inexpensive nanostructured material systems such as zinc oxide are also being explored for charge collection and transport to the electrodes. Laser nanostructured material systems are utilised for harnessing their optical properties to further improve these systems.
The research is aimed at improving the efficiencies of solution processable thin film photovoltaics, while keeping the potential cost low in utilising printing technologies, which are on the verge of becoming a commercial reality, in a commercially relevant approach, applying large area photovoltaic mini-modules.
We have also been innovating organic and polymer light-emitting diodes (OLEDs and PLEDs) by combining commercially available materials with novel carbon-based technologies, including carbon nanotubes and graphene. The addition of these novel materials to OLEDs/PLEDs can enhance brightness, device efficiency, and lifetime.
In addition, we have a number of other research interests in utilisation of nanotechnology for energy conversion. These include research on energy storage such as super-capacitors, hydrogen storage and membrane development for osmosis which leads to enhanced chemical to electrical energy conversion.
Research projects
Start date: June 2017
End date: May 2021
Get in contact
If you'd like to learn more about this research then please email Professor Ravi Silva.