Lightning could be the new source of alternative energy and scientists are looking for ways to capture the electricity from the air and bring it right in our house. The researchers at the University of Campinas, Brazil, work on devices to capture energy from the atmosphere, informs Physorg.
“Just as solar energy can eliminate energy bills from some houses, this new energy source can do the same thing”, says Fernando Galembeck, author of studies on lightning.
Fernando Galembeck studied water contact with dust particles in the atmosphere, particles of silicon and aluminum phosphate, quite common in the atmosphere. It was found that the silicon is charged with a negative charge in the presence of moisture, and the aluminum phosphate gets positively charged. The high humidity means the air will have an increased level of steam which get condensed them and become visible as “fog” on the windows of cars or buildings.
“This is the proof that water can accumulate in the atmosphere electric charges and can transfer them to other materials in contact. We call this principle “higroelectricity” “, says Galembeck.
He believes that in future, will be created devices similar to those made of solar cells that capture the energy from the atmosphere. Galembeck says that using electricity from the atmosphere not only will make us save some money, but this will also help to prevent accidents caused by lightning. Among those who believed that lightning can be used as an energy form is the famous inventor Nikola Tesla.
