Towards Sustainable Hydrovoltaic Energy: Self-Healing, Recycling, and Wettability Engineering Approaches

This project aims to create new types of hydrovoltaic generators, which are devices that produce electricity from small amounts of moisture in the air or water. While these generators are promising for clean energy and water treatment, current versions are not durable enough and cannot adapt well to changing environments. By combining my expertise in cost-effective, cellulose-based hydrovoltaic systems with Professor Ning Yan’s research on recyclable polymers, surface design for water control, and bio-based functional gels, we will develop generators that are stronger, longer-lasting, and able to perform additional functions such as sensing humidity or water flow. The expected benefits include advancing clean water and energy solutions, opening new opportunities for eco-friendly materials and energy technologies in Canada, and strengthening long-term research collaboration between Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) in Korea and the University of Toronto in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ning Yan

Student:

Partner:

Korea Institute of Industrial Technology

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: