Overview

• The plug flow system channels rain-sized droplets through a vertical polymer tube, generating electricity via charge separation.
• The system achieves over 10% energy conversion efficiency, significantly outperforming traditional continuous water flow methods by five orders of magnitude.
• Recent experiments using a four-tube setup successfully powered 12 LEDs for 20 seconds, showcasing the scalability of the technology.
• Researchers suggest the system could perform even better under natural rainfall conditions, as the tested droplet speeds were slower than real rain.
• The low-maintenance design is particularly suited for urban environments, offering a promising solution for rooftop renewable energy generation.