Water as an energy carrier: Nanoporous silicon generates electricity from friction with water

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY

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Electricity is generated in silicon pores through friction using only pressure and water.

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Credit: Graphic: TU Hamburg/DESY, Künsting

A European research team involving scientists from DESY and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) has developed a novel way for converting mechanical energy into electricity – by using water confined in nanometre-sized pores of silicon as the active working fluid.

In a study published in Nano Energy (Elsevier), the scientists demonstrate that the cyclic intrusion and extrusion of water in water-repellentnanoporous silicon monoliths can produce measurable electrical power.

Electricity generated by friction in tiny pores

The developed system, known as an Intrusion–Extrusion Triboelectric Nanogenerator (IE-TENG), uses pressure to repeatedly force water into and out of nanoscale pores. During this process, charge generation occurs at the interface between the solid and the liquid.

This is a type of friction electricity that often occurs in everyday life. An example that everyone is familiar with: walking across a PVC carpet with shoes on. Electrons transfer from one body to another, accumulating a charge that is suddenly discharged when a third body is touched. For example, when touching a door handle, the charge flows away and you get a small electric shock.

The achieved energy conversion efficiency of up to 9% ranks among the highest ever reported for solid–liquid nanogenerators. “Even pure water, when confined at the nanoscale, can enable energy conversion,” says Patrick Huber, spokesperson of the BlueMat – Water-Driven Materials Excellence Cluster at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) and DESY.
Luis Bartolomé (CIC energiGUNE) adds: “Combining nanoporous silicon with water enables an efficient, reproducible power source — without exotic materials, but just by using the most abundant semiconductor on earth, silicon, and the most abundant liquid, water.”

Materials design as the key

“A crucial step was the development of precisely engineered silicon structures that are simultaneously conductive, nanoporous, and hydrophobic,” explains Manuel Brinker from the Hamburg University of Technology. “This architecture allows us to control the motion of water inside the pores — making the energy conversion process both stable and scalable.”

The technology paves the way for autonomous, maintenance-free sensor systems — for example in water detection, sports and health monitoring in smart garments, or haptic robotics, where touch or motion directly generates an electrical signal. “Water-driven materials mark the beginning of a new generation of self-sustaining technologies,” emphasize the corresponding authors Simone Meloni (University of Ferrara) and Yaroslav Grosu (CIC energiGUNE).

The project was conducted by scientists from CIC energiGUNE (Spain), the University of Ferrara(Italy), the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) and DESY(Germany), the University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland), and Riga Technical University (Latvia). It was supported by the Excellence Cluster “BlueMat – Water-Driven Materials”.

 

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Journal

Nano Energy

DOI

10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111488 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Triboelectrification during non-wetting liquids intrusion–extrusion in hydrophobic nanoporous silicon monoliths

Article Publication Date

15-Dec-2025

 

Cement‑based thermoelectric materials, devices and applications

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

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• Covering the most cutting-edge advances in cement-based thermoelectric materials.
• The first systematic summary of the preparation, performance and functional applications of cement-based thermoelectric devices.
• The challenges and strategies for materials, devices and applications are fully discussed.

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Credit: Wanqiang Li, Chunyu Du*, Lirong Liang, Guangming Chen*.

As global energy demands rise and carbon neutrality becomes imperative, traditional construction materials like cement are being reimagined with multifunctional capabilities. Now, researchers from Shenzhen University, led by Prof. Chunyu Du and Prof. Guangming Chen, have published a comprehensive review on cement-based thermoelectric materials (CTEMs) and their potential applications in smart buildings, energy harvesting, and structural monitoring. This work offers a timely and systematic overview of how cement can go beyond construction to become an active energy material.

Why Cement-Based Thermoelectric Materials Matter

• Energy Harvesting: CTEMs can convert waste heat from buildings, pavements, and industrial structures into usable electricity, contributing to zero-energy infrastructure.
• Self-Powered Sensing: With intrinsic thermoelectric properties, CTEMs enable real-time structural health monitoring without external power sources.
• Carbon Reduction: By functionalizing cement with thermoelectric fillers, CTEMs support low-carbon construction and sustainable urban development.

Innovative Design and Features

• Material Systems: The review categorizes CTEMs into fillers (carbon-based, metal oxides, composites) and matrices (ordinary Portland cement, geopolymer, alkali-activated cement), detailing their roles in enhancing thermoelectric performance.
• Performance Optimization: Strategies such as defect engineering, interfacial design, and ionic–electronic mixed conduction are explored to improve Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and figure of merit (ZT).
• Device Architectures: Various preparation methods (dry pressing, wet mixing, 3D printing) and device structures (π-type, multi-element modules) are discussed for scalable thermoelectric device fabrication.

Applications and Future Outlook

• Structural Monitoring: CTEMs can detect temperature gradients and mechanical strain, enabling non-destructive evaluation of concrete structures.
• Energy Harvesting: Embedded CTEMs in roads or building facades can harvest solar heat and indoor–outdoor temperature differences, powering low-energy electronics.
• Smart Buildings: Integration with building management systems allows CTEMs to contribute to adaptive thermal regulation, energy-saving, and real-time environmental sensing.

Challenges and Opportunities

The review highlights key challenges such as material compatibility, device stability, and cost-effectiveness, and proposes future directions in multiscale modeling, standardized testing, and application-specific design. With continued interdisciplinary research, CTEMs are poised to become a cornerstone technology for intelligent, sustainable infrastructure.

This comprehensive review provides a roadmap for the development and deployment of cement-based thermoelectric materials. It underscores the importance of materials science, civil engineering, and energy technology convergence in shaping the future of smart construction. Stay tuned for more groundbreaking work from Prof. Chunyu Du and Prof. Guangming Chen at Shenzhen University!

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Journal

Nano-Micro Letters

DOI

10.1007/s40820-025-01866-2 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Article Title

Cement‑Based Thermoelectric Materials, Devices and Applications

Photosynthesis without the burn

Marine algae use a unique pigment, siphonein, to shield photosynthesis from excess light

Osaka Metropolitan University

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At the L1 site, the pigment siphonein (orange) binds close to a cluster of chlorophyll molecules (Chl a610–a612, green), enabling efficient energy quenching.

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Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

Too much sun can ruin a day at the beach. It can also ruin photosynthesis, scorching plants and other organisms that depend on capturing sunlight for energy. Beneath the waves, though, algae have found a clever shield. Osaka Metropolitan University researchers and their colleagues discovered that a pigment called siphonein helps marine green algae keep photosynthesis humming, without the burn.

Photosynthetic organisms rely on delicate light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) to capture sunlight for energy. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs light and enters an excited singlet state. Under normal light conditions, this energy is efficiently transferred to the photosynthetic reaction center to drive chemical reactions. But excessive light can push chlorophyll molecules into a dangerous “triplet” state, which is a source of reactive oxygen species capable of causing oxidative damage.

“Organisms use carotenoids to quickly dissipate excess energy, or quench these triplet states, through a process called triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET),” said Ritsuko Fujii, lead author and associate professor at the Graduate School of Science and Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis at Osaka Metropolitan University.

Until now, however, the rules governing this photoprotection remained largely unknown.

The research team looked for an answer in Codium fragile, a marine green alga. Similar to terrestrial plants, it possesses a light-harvesting antenna called LHCII, but with a twist: it contains unusual carotenoids such as siphonein and siphonaxanthin, which allow the alga to use green light for photosynthesis.

“The key to the quenching mechanism lies in how quickly and efficiently the triplet states can be deactivated,” said Alessandro Agostini, researcher at the University of Padua, Italy and co-lead author of the study.

Using advanced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, which detects triplet excited states directly, the team compared spinach plants with Codium fragile. In spinach, weak signals of chlorophyll triplet states remained detectable. In contrast, in Codium fragile, these harmful states vanished entirely, clear evidence that carotenoids in the algal system quench them completely.

“Our research has revealed that the antenna structure of photosynthetic green algae has an excellent photoprotective function,” Agostini said.

Combining EPR with quantum chemical simulations, the team pinpointed siphonein, located at a key binding site in LHCII, as the primary driver of this remarkable protective effect. Their work also clarified the electronic and structural principles underlying efficient TTET, showing how the peculiar electronic structure of siphonein and its position in the LHCII complex strengthen its ability to dissipate excess energy.

The findings demonstrate that marine algae have evolved unique pigments not only to capture the green-blue light available underwater but also to enhance their resilience against excessive sunlight.

Beyond advancing our understanding of photosynthesis, the study results open the door to developing bio-inspired solar technologies with built-in protective mechanisms, and more durable and efficient renewable energy systems.

“We hope to further clarify the structural characteristics of carotenoids that increase quenching efficiency, ultimately enabling the molecular design of pigments that optimize photosynthetic antennae,” Fujii said.

The findings were published in Cell Reports Physical Science.

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About OMU

Established in Osaka as one of the largest public universities in Japan, Osaka Metropolitan University is committed to shaping the future of society through the “Convergence of Knowledge” and the promotion of world-class research. For more research news, visit https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/ and follow us on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

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Journal

Cell Reports Physical Science

DOI

10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102873 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Siphonein enables an effective photoprotective triplet quenching mechanism in green algal light-harvesting complexes

Article Publication Date

21-Oct-2025

The first ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey in Israel

The unique conditions of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea serve as an “ecological laboratory” fostering extraordinary nutritional and health properties in seaweeds

Tel-Aviv University

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Sargassum vulgare, Jania rubens and Ulva rigida.

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Credit: Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi

A pioneering ecological–biotechnological survey reveals that the Israeli Mediterranean Sea may represent a natural hotspot for resilient seaweeds enriched with nutritional and bioactive compounds. The research team describes them as a “green treasure” — an untapped, sustainable resource for superfoods, pharmaceuticals, and eco-friendly cosmetics, as well as a natural ally in climate mitigation.

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) has conducted the first comprehensive ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey in Israel. Their findings suggest that the unique ecological conditions along the Israeli Mediterranean coast—warm, sunny, and dynamic—create a natural habitat that supports the growth of distinctive and resilient seaweeds (macroalgae) rich in nutritional and health-promoting compounds. The researchers believe these properties could serve as a foundation for groundbreaking innovations in food, health, and biotechnology.

 

The study was led by Dr. Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi of Tel Aviv University and IOLR, under the supervision of Prof. Avigdor Abelson from the School of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, and Prof. Álvaro Israel from IOLR Haifa, in collaboration with Dr. Eitan Salomon from the National Center for Mariculture in Eilat. Additional contributors included Prof. Félix L. Figueroa and Julia Vega from the University of Málaga, Spain, along with Guy Paz head of the laboratory at IOLR, and Dr. Shoshana Ben-Valid. The study was published in the scientific journal Marine Drugs.

 

Over several years, the researchers collected nearly 400 specimens, identifying 55 seaweed species—predominantly red, alongside brown and green seaweed. In contrast to earlier reports suggesting two annual peaks in seaweed productivity, this study indicates a single productive period in springtime, strongly suggesting an ecosystem shift likely driven by global warming.

 

Seasonality also had a pronounced effect on seaweed chemistry. Biochemical analyses revealed that local seaweeds exhibit particularly high protein content during winter, reaching several tens of percent of their dry weight, making them a promising alternative protein source for both human and animal nutrition. Antioxidant levels peaked in spring, increasing by up to 286% in some species. These findings highlight seaweed as a natural source of health-promoting compounds and potential therapeutic agents that may contribute to longevity and immune support. The seaweed also contained high levels of phenolic compounds, and natural UV filters, making them ideal for eco-friendly cosmeceutical applications.

 

Dr. Doron Ashkenazi explains: "Israel, located at the easternmost edge of the Mediterranean Sea, offers unique environmental conditions: a subtropical climate with year-round sunlight, rocky shores with small tidal fluctuations, and relatively high salinity and irradiance. Together, these factors stimulate the development of seaweeds with unique chemical traits that act as natural ‘biological factories,’ producing bioactive compounds in remarkable concentrations.”

“We believe that this study, together with the growing seaweed research field, can place Israel at the forefront of global marine biotechnology. In addition to being ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ Israel has also been blessed with a unique sea — the Israeli Mediterranean.”

Prof. Álvaro Israel emphasizes:  "This study provides valuable insights into the environmental factors that influence seaweed growth and quality, allowing us to translate this knowledge into practical aquaculture methods. Seaweed offers immense environmental benefits—they require no arable land, generate oxygen, capture carbon, and purify water from pollutants. They stand at the forefront of sustainable aquaculture, merging environmental advantages with economic opportunities.

 

Dr. Eitan Salomon adds: “Our findings illustrate the untapped biotechnological potential of seaweeds for the future of humanity – from functional foods and pharmaceuticals to a variety of advanced health applications.”

 

Prof. Avigdor Abelson concludes: “The Israeli Mediterranean Sea is a unique natural laboratory. It can serve as a model for understanding the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and help predict which species may thrive in a warming world. Beyond its scientific value, seaweeds represent a strategic national and global resource that can help address future challenges in food security, health, and the environment.”

 

The research is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Itzchak (Itzik) Brickner of blessed memory, one of Israel’s legendary marine biologists, in recognition of his friendship, mentorship, and inspiration.

 

Link to the article:

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/8/320

 

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Journal

Marine Drugs

DOI

10.3390/md23080320