Singapore scientists are hoping to perfect and bring out a new method of power generation that will be driven largely by shadows, with the hope that it could one day help highly urbanized cities power themselves.
Being currently developed by the National University of Singapore, the shadow-effect energy generator (SEG) has the potential to harness power like solar cells, but without needing open spaces with uninterrupted light.
For this new method of power generation to work effectively, the SEG will require both light and dark, and like solar panels, because it relies on light to shine on silicon to energise electrons.
However, using panels that feature a thin layer of either gold, silver, platinum or tungsten, the difference in light intensity drives electrons from lit areas towards the shade, creating electricity in the shaded areas.
The research team leader, Dr. Swee Ching Tan said that their shadow effect generator comes in handy and can be placed in those areas to harvest obstructed light.
Although the research is still in its early stages, Dr. Tan’s team is already thinking about the potential of establishing a company to make SEG available for home use.
The team has been testing the panels which are about 6 sq cm in size and capable of producing just 0.25 volts, meaning about 20 are needed to power a light bulb or charge a cell phone.
Dr.Tan revealed that the ideal environment for the use of these SEGs would be cities, with constantly shifting levels of light and shade throughout the day from clusters of tall buildings and the sun’s changing position in the sky.
“It’s not practical to place solar cells in such cities. So the device might come in handy in places like very densely populated cities, where skyscrapers are everywhere, where shadows are always persistent,” he finally said.
