20-09-2016, 04:30 PM
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Abstract:
Harvesting energy from the environment responsibly is important, natural trees and plants do this
efficiently already for millions of years. Our invention is the mimicking of this ingenious
concept also referred to as bio mimicry or bio mimetic. In particular this invention relates to the
shape and form of leaves and needles and their incorporated nonmaterial‟s that allows the Nano
leaf to harvest, capture environmental energies like solar radiation, wind and sound and turn this
into electricity, the Nano leaves made from a flexible substrate, is exploited on both sides, using
a process called thin-film deposition which will incorporated thermo and photovoltaic material
for the purpose of converting solar radiation (light and heat) in addition we introduce
piezoelectric connective elements that connect/affix the leaf to the plant or tree, this not only
allows quick and secure assembly but it also serves for turning wind energy into electricity.
Furthermore we intend to get our Nano leaves as close to real as possible, one way to achieve
this is to emboss the leaves, creating a three-dimensional leaf surface image, which is beneficial
for harvesting and capturing solar radiation. The invention advances upon all prior art artificial
leaves, needles and grasses including water based plants, this method not only foresees an
economical and efficient way to harvest solar radiation and wind energy via incorporation of
thermo- photovoltaic and piezoelectric materials but also reveals a method for affixing artificial
leaves that can harvest and capture solar radiation, wind energy and energy generated from
falling rain and hail, providing an aesthetically pleasing and natural looking artificial leaves and
needles that can be affixed to trees, plants, shrubs and water based plants. Furthermore the main
advantage of these Nano leaves is that these leaves are converting more energy than the solar
panels. When we comprised the energy produced from Nano leaf tree to the energy produced with the solar panels, we found out that artificial Nano trees are converting solar radiation (light
and heat) and wind(3 in 1) 130kwh p/in2 per year 370 euro p/in and solar panels are converting
sun light 90Kwh p/in2 580p/in2
.As far as we concern about the usage of this energy, this
electrical energy can be used for driving the car which will reduce the use of the fossil fuels and
can be used to enlighten the house. It concludes by stating that the scope of the renewable energy
from the Nano leaf tree in a relatively modern field will tend to solve the very big problems for
the world like global warming.
Keywords: Nano leaves thermo voltaic, photovoltaic and piezoelectric
1. INTRODUCTION:
Today much debate has been going on in scientific circles about how real is the phenomenon of
global warming and what would be mankind‟s response in averting the consequence of it.
Realizing this, steps have been taken to reduce the use of fossil-based energy and substituting the
same with renewable sources such as solar and wind energy etc. Till now we are producing the
electrical energy with the means of either wind mills (only the effect of wind) or solar panels
(only the effect of solar energy) so far but all the two forms of these energies we are not using in
same system. If we will do so then surely we can get the more efficient system than ever we had.
So here in this paper we will demonstrate how an artificial tree will produce the electrical energy
by using both (wind as well as solar) energies .For constructing the artificial tree the first step is
to construct the nano leaves .The nano leaf will consist of two transparent conducting layers one
at the top and other one at the bottom .Between these two layers we are placing thin film photo
voltaic layer to convert the sunlight into electrical energy and thin film thermo voltaic layer to
convert the thermal radiation into electricity [1].The nano leaves then connected to twigs and
branches using tiny piezoelectric elements that convert the movements of the leaves caused by
wind and rain into more electricity. It will be interesting to know that one tree depending on the
size and location, can produce between 2000 and 12000 kHz per year [2] plus the trees provide
shade and function as a windbreak.
2. WHY NANO LEAVES:
We know very well that piezoelectric crystals, photo voltaic cell and thermo voltaic cells are
used to convert the one form of energy into electrical energy but till now we are not using these
all the techniques in the single system. Think if we are mingling these all the techniques in single
system then surely different types of energies coming to the system can be converted into huge
amount of electrical energy. So for this, the only and the best solution is the Nano leaves because
the leaves on a tree get all these types of energies such as solar energy from sun, wind energy as
well as stress from the rain and for converting these all the energies into electrical energy all the
above mentioned techniques we are having in a single nano leaf. The other main motive to
choose nano leaves is that the size is small and compact. The other main advantage of using
Nano leaves is that it can produce more electrical energy than the solar panels.
4. OVERVIEW OF BIO MIMICRY TECHNOLOGY:
The nano leaves have been specially designed to imitate the natural process of photosynthesis. A
mechanism by which, typical plants absorb the light emitted by the sun and CO2 in the
atmosphere. The artificial trees do even copy the natural re-cycling process oxygen. It is very
recent that nano leaves technology started to reap even more advanced levels. It can now harvest
thermal energy as well. Moreover, the leaves fixed on artificial trees are also able to collect
energy derived through movement of the wind, known as kinetic energy, which is as well
converted into electrical energy.
5. COMPOSITON OF NANO LEAVES:
The nano-technology was initially developed to harness solely solar energy. However, nowadays
it has widespread uses. It exploits various alternative sources of energy like wind, solar and
thermal energy. Furthermore, these highly advanced artificial plants and/or trees use tiny cells to
capture energy.
6. CONSTRUCTION OF NANO LEAVES:
In order to construct the nano leaves we need solar panel, thermo voltaic cell, piezo voltaic cell
and photo voltaic cell. The construction of nano leaves is very easy. In this first of all we are
creating two transparent conducting layers of silica which will act as the outer body of the leaf.
After this we are placing one solar cell in between these two layers which is used to convert the
solar energy into electrical energy then we are placing the piezovoltaic cell, thermo voltaic cell
and photo voltaic cell. These all the cells are interconnected to the highly conducted metal film
to complete the circuit for the flow of electrons and protons. The piezoelectric generator is
placed on the bottom of the leaf which is used to convert the stress due to rain and wind into the
electrical energy. Now these leaves are connected to the twigs of the artificial tree. Then these
small twigs are connected to the stem of the tree with the means of the piezoelectric crystal to covert the stress of the twig also into electrical energy. The electrical energy from the all leaves
and twigs is stored at the bottom of the tree by using the storing device.
8: BEST PLACES TO USE NANO LEAVES:
The use of piezo voltaic, thermo voltaic and photovoltaic cells does effectively convert an
amalgamation of energy sources into electricity. Artificial energy trees can be used for both
domestic and even industrial purposes. According to research, erecting an approximate of six
meter area of nano leaves can produce enough energy for an average household. More, intricate
is that, artificial trees can be constructed at various areas, like
8.1 Desert:
The earth has large areas of unexploited deserts which can be used to generate a massive amount
of electricity, if artificial trees were planted. The energy produced could be used to solve the
most predominant challenge in desert; provide electricity to power desalination. The desalinated
water could thereafter be used for irrigation and drinking purposes. The fragile desert
environment would hardly be affected by such a project yet the benefits are extensive. To further
minimize the environmental impact on desert, the artificial trees could be planted alongside
roads, coasts and other areas where it would protect inhabitants from sandstorms and provide
constant shade form thesun.[5]
8.2 Golf courses, Recreation ground and parks:
Artificial golf courses, recreational grounds and parks could have artificial plants and trees
planted to supply electricity for at least a portion of recreational parks. For golf course, the nano
leaves could fuel ground maintenance vehicles.
8.3 Office Parking and industrial zone:
The multi-fold benefits of planting trees near office parking and industrial zone are numerous. It
provides with electricity to office, parking lights and other uses. Moreover, it does also provide
with shade from the sun and offers anaesthetic landscaping.