A Wind Power Generating System Based on Nano-thin-film has been developed by Chinese Researchers

BEIJING, Sep. 2 (Xinhua) – A thin film nanogenerator with the area of about 25 cm2, by means of  wind power from a hair drier, can produce electricity through the friction between thin films, which could lighten simultaneously more than 900 pieces of LED in a moment. A Chinese scientific research group composed of many PHD returnees from overseas recently developed a wind power generating system based on thin film nanogenerator, which provided wind power generation with a new possible path.
The nanogenerator invented by the Professor Wang Zhong Lin’s group in 2006 was appraised by the American periodical New Scientist to be one of the ten important technologies in next 10 to 30 years which has equal importance and influence to the invention of mobile phone. In recent years, an upsurge of research in nanogenerator has formed in some developed countries, so has in many Chinese scientific research institutions.
Nanogenerator can collect mechanical energy, such as flowing of the air or water, turning of engine, running of air conditioner or other machines, etc. in the environment, and transform them into electricity, which provides energy system with a possibility of the self-charging power source.
In close to two years period, with the support of the government of Hebei and Tangshan, Dr. Charles Hsu’s R&D group led research on nanogenerator, and developed various new types of nanogenerator, such as piezoelectric type, triboelectric type, hybrid type, etc. The output voltage improved from initial microvolt to over two thousands volts. 
By combining nanogenerator with wind power generation, the R&D group conducted preliminary structural design of wind power generator and circuit system of power storage, and proceeded experimental verification. So far 31 related patents have been applied, 10 patents were granted, for instance, ‘High-power Triboelectric Nanogenerator’ and ‘Wind Power Generation Device’.
Wind power generator is the core component in wind power generating system, and is an important device to transform mechanical energy into electricity. However, traditional wind power generator is large in volume, high in production cost, and high in control and maintenance requirements.
“The core component of this wind power generating system is thin film nanogenerator, which is small in volume, light in weight, and high in machinability.” Dr. Zhao Hao, the research leader of the R&D group who used to be engaged in the research and development of micro-nano devices in UK said.
Traditional wind power generator collects wind power through windmill. This energy collection method is limited. The experts indicated that, a wind power generating system based on nano thin film may produce electricity through extruding by wind power or friction of nano thin film, and it can also be combined with traditional solar energy and existing wind power generating system. More energy collection methods are expected.
In the next step, the researchers plan to strengthen the development in the aspects of material micromachining of the wind power generator, energy storage controlling system, and combining of solar power generation, etc. to accelerate the process of industrialization.