It is true that money does not grow on trees but electricity might someday, as scientists have developed a prototype biomimetic tree that mimics the branches and leaves of a cottonwood tree and generates electricity when its artificial leaves sway in the wind.<\/p>\n
\nResearchers from Iowa State University found that the technology could spawn a niche market for small and visually unobtrusive machines that turn wind into electricity.<\/p>\n
“The possible advantages here are aesthetics and its smaller scale, which may allow off-grid energy harvesting. We set out to answer the question of whether you can get useful amounts of electrical power out of something that looks like a plant,” said Michael McCloskey, associate professor at Iowa University.<\/p>\n
Cell phone towers in some urban locations, such as Las Vegas, have been camouflaged as trees, complete with leaves that serve only to improve the tower’s aesthetic appeal.<\/p>\n
“Tapping energy from those leaves would increase their functionality,” McCloskey said.<\/p>\n
This prototype device features a metallic trellis, from which hang a dozen plastic flaps in the shape of cottonwood leaves.<\/p>\n
“It’s definitely doable, but the trick is accomplishing it without compromising efficiency. More work is necessary, but there are paths available,” said Curtis Mosher of Iowa State University.<\/p>\n
In a paper published in the journal PLOS ONE, the researchers explained that small strips of specialised plastic inside the leaf stalks release an electrical charge when bent by wind.\u2014IANS<\/p>\n
Image: Alamy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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