Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Efficient Microfluidic Power Generator Based on Interaction between DI Water and Hydrophobic-Channel Surface

  • Regular Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The fabrication of power generators utilized by streaming potential has been attracting profound interests for various applications such as wearable healthcare and self-powered micro/nano systems. So far, streaming potential has been generated by a charged channel wall and accumulated counter-ions. However, this approach is assumed as no-slip boundary condition, while the slippery channel wall is critical for high efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate a microfluidic power generator based on streaming potential that can be intrinsically charged at a hydrophobic channel wall. This charging mechanism has higher values of charge density and slip boundary condition. We have achieved output voltage of ~2.7 V and streaming conductance density of ~1.23 A/m2·bar with the channel that is ~2 μm high and ~3.5 μm wide. Our result is a promising step for obtaining low-cost, high efficient power-generators for micro/nano systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

PG:

Power-Generator

EDL:

Electric double layer

DI:

Deionized

PDMS:

Polydimethylsiloxane

MEMS:

Microelectromechanical systems

RIE:

Reactive ion etching

C4F8 :

Octafluorocyclobutane

VSFG:

Vibrational sum-frequency generation

MD:

Molecular dynamics

References

  1. Zhong, J., Zhong, Q., Chen, G., Hu, B., Zhao, S., et al., “Surface Charge Self-Recovering Electret Film for Wearable Energy Conversion in a Harsh Environment,” Energy & Environmental Science, Vol. 9, No. 10, pp. 3085–3091, 2016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang, Z. L. and Song, J., “Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Based on Zinc Oxide Nanowire Arrays,” Science, Vol. 312, No. 5771, pp. 242–246, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kim, J. E., Kim, H., Yoon, H., Kim, Y. Y., and Youn, B. D., “An Energy Conversion Model for Cantilevered Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesters Using Only Measurable Parameters,” Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf.-Green Tech., Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 51–57, 2015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bae, J., Lee, J., Kim, S., Ha, J., Lee, B.-S., et al., “Flutter-Driven Triboelectrification for Harvesting Wind Energy,” Nature Communications, Vol. 5, Article No. 4929, 2014.

  5. Zi, Y., Wang, J., Wang, S., Li, S., Wen, Z., et al., “Effective Energy Storage from a Triboelectric Nanogenerator,” Nature Communications, Vol. 7, Article No. 10987, 2016.

  6. Yang, Y., Jung, J. H., Yun, B. K., Zhang, F., Pradel, K. C., et al., “Flexible Pyroelectric Nanogenerators Using a Composite Structure of Lead-Free KNbO3 Nanowires,” Advanced Materials, Vol. 24, No. 39, pp. 5357–5362, 2012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Nguyen, H., Navid, A., and Pilon, L., “Pyroelectric Energy Converter Using Co-Polymer P (VDF-TrFE) and Olsen Cycle for Waste Heat Energy Harvesting,” Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 30, No. 14, pp. 2127–2137, 2010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Siria, A., Poncharal, P., Biance, A.-L., Fulcrand, R., Blase, X., et al., “Giant Osmotic Energy Conversion Measured in a Single Transmembrane Boron Nitride Nanotube,” Nature, Vol. 494, No. 7438, pp. 455–458, 2013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Guo, W., Cheng, C., Wu, Y., Jiang, Y., Gao, J., et al., “Bio-Inspired Two-Dimensional Nanofluidic Generators Based on a Layered Graphene Hydrogel Membrane,” Advanced Materials, Vol. 25, No. 42, pp. 6064–6068, 2013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Haldrup, S., Catalano, J., Hansen, M. R., Wagner, M., Jensen, G. V., et al., “High Electrokinetic Energy Conversion Efficiency in Charged Nanoporous Nitrocellulose/Sulfonated Polystyrene Membranes,” Nano Letters, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 1158–1165, 2015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chun, M.-S., Lee, T. S., and Choi, N. W., “Microfluidic Analysis of Electrokinetic Streaming Potential Induced by Microflows of Monovalent Electrolyte Solution,” Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 710–719, 2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Chun, M.-S., Shim, M. S., and Choi, N. W., “Fabrication and Validation of a Multi-Channel Type Microfluidic Chip for Electrokinetic Streaming Potential Devices,” Lab on a Chip, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 302–309, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Van der Heyden, F. H., Bonthuis, D. J., Stein, D., Meyer, C., and Dekker, C., “Electrokinetic Energy Conversion Efficiency in Nanofluidic Channels,” Nano Letters, Vol. 6, No. 10, pp. 2232–2237, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Van Der Heyden, F. H., Bonthuis, D. J., Stein, D., Meyer, C., and Dekker, C., “Power Generation by Pressure-Driven Transport of Ions in Nanofluidic Channels,” Nano Letters, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 1022–1025, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Van Der Heyden, F. H., Stein, D., and Dekker, C., “Streaming Currents in a Single Nanofluidic Channel,” Physical Review Letters, Vol. 95, No. 11, Paper No. 116104, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Koltonow, A. R. and Huang, J., “Two-Dimensional Nanofluidics,” Science, Vol. 351, No. 6280, pp. 1395–1396, 2016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Zaytseva, N. V., Goral, V. N., Montagna, R. A., and Baeumner, A. J., “Development of a Microfluidic Biosensor Module for Pathogen Detection,” Lab on a Chip, Vol. 5, No. 8, pp. 805–811, 2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kurita, R., Hayashi, K., Fan, X., Yamamoto, K., Kato, T., et al., “Microfluidic Device Integrated with Pre-Reactor and Dual Enzyme-Modified Microelectrodes for Monitoring in Vivo Glucose and Lactate,” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Vol. 87, No. 2, pp. 296–303, 2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Kim, H. J., Jang, W. K., Kim, B. H., and Seo, Y. H., “Advancing Liquid Front Shape Control in Capillary Filling of Microchannel via Arrangement of Microposts for Microfluidic Biomedical Sensors,” Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf., Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 59–63, 2016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Yager, P., Edwards, T., Fu, E., Helton, K., Nelson, K., et al., “Microfluidic Diagnostic Technologies for Global Public Health,” Nature, Vol. 442, No. 7101, pp. 412–418, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Sun, Y. and Kwok, Y. C., “Polymeric Microfluidic System for DNA Analysis,” Analytica Chimica Acta, Vol. 556, No. 1, pp. 80–96, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lin, C.-H., Ferguson, G. S., and Chaudhury, M. K., “Electrokinetics of Polar Liquids in Contact with Nonpolar Surfaces,” Langmuir, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp. 7793–7801, 2013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yang, J. and Kwok, D. Y., “Microfluid Flow in Circular Microchannel with Electrokinetic Effect and Navier’s Slip Condition,” Langmuir, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 1047–1053, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Ren, Y. and Stein, D., “Slip-Enhanced Electrokinetic Energy Conversion in Nanofluidic Channels,” Nanotechnology, Vol. 19, No. 19, Paper No. 195707, 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Tandon, V., Bhagavatula, S. K., Nelson, W. C., and Kirby, B. J., “Zeta Potential and Electroosmotic Mobility in Microfluidic Devices Fabricated from Hydrophobic Polymers: 1. The Origins of Charge,” Electrophoresis, Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 1092–1101, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Vacha, R., Marsalek, O., Willard, A. P., Bonthuis, D. J., Netz, R. R., et al., “Charge Transfer between Water Molecules as the Possible Origin of the Observed Charging at the Surface of Pure Water,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 107–111, 2011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Tian, C. and Shen, Y., “Structure and Charging of Hydrophobic Material/Water Interfaces Studied by Phase-Sensitive Sum-Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 106, No. 36, pp. 15148–15153, 2009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Creux, P., Lachaise, J., Graciaa, A., and Beattie, J. K., “Specific Cation Effects at the Hydroxide-Charged Air/Water Interface,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Vol. 111, No. 9, pp. 3753–3755, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Strazdaite, S., Versluis, J., and Bakker, H. J., “Water Orientation at Hydrophobic Interfaces,” The Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 143, No. 8, Paper No. 084708, 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Vácha, R., Rick, S. W., Jungwirth, P., de Beer, A. G., de Aguiar, H. B., et al., “The Orientation and Charge of Water at the Hydrophobic Oil Droplet–Water Interface,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 133, No. 26, pp. 10204–10210, 2011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Joseph, P. and Tabeling, P., “Direct Measurement of the Apparent Slip Length,” Physical Review E, Vol. 71, No. 3, Paper No. 035303, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  32. K Water, www.k-water.or.kr (Accessed 25 OCT 2017)

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Yong Whan Choi and Segeun Jang contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Frontier Center for Multiscale Energy Systems, Seoul National University, 1, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

    Yong Whan Choi, Segeun Jang & Mansoo Choi

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, 1, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

    Yong Whan Choi, Segeun Jang & Mansoo Choi

  3. Complex Fluids Laboratory, National Agenda Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea

    Myung-Suk Chun

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Incheon National University, 119, Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea

    Sang Moon Kim

Authors
  1. Yong Whan Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Segeun Jang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Myung-Suk Chun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sang Moon Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mansoo Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sang Moon Kim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Choi, Y.W., Jang, S., Chun, MS. et al. Efficient Microfluidic Power Generator Based on Interaction between DI Water and Hydrophobic-Channel Surface. Int. J. of Precis. Eng. and Manuf.-Green Tech. 5, 255–260 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40684-018-0026-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40684-018-0026-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation