Preparation process of functional yarn and its application scenarios in agriculture
Light intensity, temperature and humidity, salinity and alkalinity... Through agricultural information intelligent sensing technology, the physiological indicators related to crop growth can be "one-stop".
Real-time monitoring of these indicators requires electric power. However, it is often difficult to lay pipelines in field fields. In addition, battery life is limited and pollution problems are also prominent. To solve this problem, Ping Jianfeng, a researcher from the Intelligent Bio-Industry Equipment Innovation Team (IBE) of the School of Biosystem Engineering and Food Science at Zhejiang University, proposed that natural energy can be tapped from the agricultural environment and efficiently converted into electrical energy.
The research team applied friction nano-generator technology to agricultural textiles for the first time and collected raindrop energy during rainfall to obtain electrical energy through energy conversion. Related research results were recently published in "Nano Energy" (Nano Energy).
Tap energy from the natural environment
The southern region often suffers from heavy rains, causing huge losses in agricultural production. Agricultural textiles are the most common in greenhouse facilities, which can shield rain and protect crops.
How to tap energy from the agricultural environment? The research team functionalized the surface of the yarn, attached the friction nano-generator to the yarn, and woven it into intelligent agricultural textiles. It used the electron transfer and flow when the rain washes to generate electricity, thereby continuously supplying energy for smart agriculture.
Ping Jianfeng said that this research was inspired by a sudden heavy rain in midsummer. The heavy rain entered the window that was too late to close, ruining the green plants near the window sill, and also caused the researchers to think: "The environment in which the crops are located in the heavy rain will only be worse. Can we think of ways to turn it into a good one?"
So, the research team began to simulate various environments in the laboratory. The data shows that under a continuous force of 9.5 Newtons, a 3 cm long yarn can generate a voltage of 7.7 volts. It is inferred from this that the shed cloth made of yarns loaded with friction nano-generators can not only be used as a "protective umbrella" for crops and animals, but also as a collector of raindrop energy.
Cover two layers of special functional materials
Why can the energy of raindrops be converted into electrical energy? "This is because we have specially modified the yarns of agricultural textiles." Ping Jianfeng explained, "Scientists covered two layers of special materials on the surface-conductive titanium carbide nanomaterials and non-conductive polydimethylene Based siloxanes, which are the key materials that make up frictional nanogenerators."
Dimethicone is a common high-molecular polymer that is waterproof and can transfer electrons to rain in the environment. The titanium carbide induction electrode not only has high conductivity, but also can help surface polymers snatch electrons because of its high electronegativity.
Ping Jianfeng said that these two materials have good biocompatibility. On the basis of realizing the original functions of thermal insulation, shading, soil and water conservation, drainage and irrigation, and seed cultivation of agricultural textiles, they can continue to flow from the natural environment. To obtain energy locally to provide a driving force for smart agriculture.
Some people also questioned this. If there is no rain, will the transformed yarn still collect and provide energy? "We don't have enough rain, we can also collect wind energy." From the principle of friction nano generators, Ping Jianfeng's power source can be natural energy such as wind power, hydraulic power, sea waves, etc., or it can be walking, touching of hands, Random energy such as falling raindrops can even be garbage energy such as wheel rotation and roar of machines.
Before the results of this study were released, the research team had begun to apply the friction nano-generator technology to agriculture. The team has designed an integrated self-cleaning, self-charging device consisting of a friction nano-generator and a miniature supercapacitor, which can efficiently collect energy from raindrops and store it.
"In the experiment, we attached a 3 x 7 cm thin film device to the leaves of the plant to collect the energy of rainwater. Simulated rainfall in nature, after the conversion and storage of this device, it can be the temperature and humidity of the commercial agricultural environment. The sensor device provides electrical energy." Ping Jianfeng introduced.
Facilitate passive real-time perception of agricultural information
In the future, these converted agricultural textiles will not only provide protection for planting and animal husbandry to improve the quality and output of agricultural and livestock products by connecting energy storage equipment, but also continuously supply electrical energy for IoT sensing devices.
Because it does not damage the environment, this technology can be called green energy technology. It can be seen that the yarn loaded with friction nano-generators can be said to be "passive living water" for smart agriculture. But Ping Jianfeng pointed out that the large-scale application and promotion of the yarn will take time.
"At present, we can achieve precision in small-scale preparation, but there are still some problems in large-scale preparation. On the one hand, the preparation cost of titanium carbide nanomaterials is relatively high, and it is difficult to promote. In the future, we need to find cheap alternative materials; The coating technology has not yet formed a process, especially the thickness of the coating needs to be further explored. In addition, line connection, weaving methods, etc. need to be optimized." Ping Jianfeng said.
In the next step, the research team will further improve the practical performance of the technology by optimizing the structure, weaving yarns, managing circuits, etc., helping to realize the passive real-time perception of agricultural information and creating favorable conditions for agricultural green production. (â– Reporter Shen Chunlei Correspondent Ke Yineng)
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