Twistrons: carbon nanotubes created to generate electricity

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) have succeeded in developing fibers formed by intertwining carbon nanotubes to convert motion into electrical energy. The study was published in the journal Nature Energy.

Scientists are always trying to improve their discoveries, making them more efficient and closer to real-world applications.

The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is nothing new. These hollow structures, which are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, have been extensively studied in many areas, especially in energy conversion and retention.

In 2017, the nanotechnology working group at UTD, together with some collaborators, successfully converted mechanical energy into electrical energy through traction and torsion of this material.

But now they have succeeded in improving the technique by generating more energy with the “twistron”.

The “twists” are created by interlacing three carbon nanotube threads, very similar to the threads used in textile companies.

The researchers observed that some interesting things happen when wire is drawn in this configuration.

Generally, thread thinning is expected when subjected to such action. But this does not happen with the “twistron”. By bringing the fibers closer to its composition, it becomes denser.

Scientists believe that this is one of the factors affecting the improvement in energy capture.

In previous experiments, the maximum conversion achieved by torsion and tension was 7.6%. This time, to the researchers’ surprise, the “twistrons” were able to convert 17.4% of the energy through traction and 22.4% through torsion.

With the improvement of the energy conversion achieved by the wires, various uses can be considered.

Abandoning common use, such as in clothing, scientists expect it to be used in the sea by converting the energy produced by the waves.

There are still some gaps in how this energy application was achieved. Therefore, the researchers will continue to investigate and try to further increase the efficiency of the “twistrons”.