background image

Scientists turn humid air into a renewable energy source

author image

By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece from Inquirer here or enjoy below!

🗞️ Driving the news: An accidental breakthrough done by researchers from the University of Massachusetts discovered a method to generate electricity from surrounding humid air while attempting to create an air humidity sensor utilizing an array of microscopic tubes or nanowires

🔭 The context: The study’s lead author, Professor Jun Yao, said he and his team only wanted to create an air humidity sensor 
• However, they may have stumbled upon a new form of alternative energy! Believe it or not, many of our beloved everyday items were accidental discoveries
For example, Dr. Spencer Silver invented Post-it Notes when he failed to create a strong adhesive

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Turning humid air into a renewable energy source offers a potential solution for sustainable energy generation, utilizing an abundant and widely available resource
• Scientists believe air-derived electricity or “hygroelectricity” may power homes 24/7 without additional infrastructure

⏭️ What’s next: it may take years to optimize a prototype and scale up production
• Acquiring raw materials, evaluating the cost and environmental impact, and ramping up for implementation would require time

💬 One quote: "Lots of energy is stored in water molecules in the air. That’s where we get the lightning effect during a thunderstorm. The existence of this type of energy isn’t in doubt. It’s about how we collect it" ( Prof Jun Yao, University of Massachusetts Amherst)

Click for more news covering the latest on Green Tech

Did you enjoy this illuminem voice? Support us by sharing this article!
author photo

About the author

illuminem's editorial team - providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day.

Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

Other illuminem Voices


Related Posts


You cannot miss it!

Weekly. Free. Your Top 10 Sustainability & Energy Posts.

You can unsubscribe at any time (read our privacy policy)