Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Energy From Raindrops

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the don't-stop-the-rain dept.

conlaw writes to share that according to Discovery.com scientists have found a way to extract energy from rain. A new technique could utilize piezoelectric principles of a special kind of plastic to generate power from falling water in rainstorms or even commercial air conditioners. "The method relies on a plastic called PVDF (for polyvinylidene difluoride), which is used in a range of products from pipes, films, and wire insulators to high-end paints for metal. PVDF has the unusual property of piezoelectricity, which means it can produce a charge when it's mechanically deformed."

9 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Lincolnshire could the power house of the world... by Finallyjoined!!! · · Score: 4, Funny

    The amount of rain we get here. :-)

    --
    If I had an Ass, I'd call it Fanny Bottom, then I could slap my Ass; Fanny Bottom, on the Arse.
  2. Our Worries Are Over by hyades1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    If they put this stuff on the floor around the urinals at my local bar, we could meet Canada's energy needs for the next hundred years.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:Our Worries Are Over by couchslug · · Score: 2, Funny

      "If they put this stuff on the floor around the urinals at my local bar, we could meet Canada's energy needs for the next hundred years."

      If they trapped the runoff from under the urinals at your local bar, they could sell it as American beer.

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  3. Re:Ideas! by buanzo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Heh. How long until ThinkGeek start selling the ShowerBuzzer with Self-Power option? :P

    --
    Buanzo Consulting - 15 Years of GNU/Linux experience, for you.
  4. Hey I've got one too! by skulgnome · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let's build a very large vat. I mean it has to be huge. Then collect lots of rainwater in it, and stick a mechanism that changes outflow into something that can be used to spin a generator. Boom, electrical energy from rain!

    Of course this is still just indirect-indirect-indirect solar power, as always. But jeez, do you have to make things so complex by default? Is this the "innovation-promoting" effect of patenting?

  5. Re:Oblig Gene Kelly reference by 4D6963 · · Score: 2, Funny

    should be enough to power a perpetual tiny rendition of Gene Kelly' 1952 hit film.

    Would that be "Watching 'Singing in the rain' in the rain"? That would make a catchy song! "I'm watching Singing in the rain in the rain, I'm watching Singing in the rain in the rain, what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again!"

    --
    You just got troll'd!
  6. If at first you don't succeed... by p4ul13 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...this breakthrough comes after failed attempts to generate power from roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.

    These are a few of those researchers favorite things.

    --
    Paul Lenhart writes words!
  7. Re:Lincolnshire could the power house of the world by ZeroFactorial · · Score: 2, Funny

    Electricity and water.

    What could possibly go wrong?

  8. Just wait till it hails! by miracle69 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Power Surge, baby. Power surge.

    --
    Linux - Because Mommy taught me to Share.