SOR Moisture Energy to Exceed Solar Power Density
Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX: SOR) is pleased to announce that the Energy InkTM technology is on track to exceed the power density of solar technology due to technical breakthroughs in the process of converting moisture into electrical energy.
Power density is a measure of how much power can be generated from a given space. To date, no other relevant renewable energy technology has come close to exceeding the power density of solar technology. Breakthroughs in moisture-to-energy conversion are being engineered into an Energy InkTM cell, designed for renewable energy generation, with a power density that exceeds solar technology.
Renewable Energy Power Density
In renewable energy technology, power density is highly desirable because it means that more power can be generated from a given space. In the context of solar panels, power density refers to the amount of power that can be generated per unit area of the panel. Photovoltaic technology (solar) has the highest power density of all renewable energy sources and is the gold standard. Exceeding the power density of solar will represent a significant global achievement for the Energy InkTM.
Power density is also used to predict the potential power output of renewable energy systems scaled up over a larger area or volume. Once the power density of the Energy InkTM cell is finalised, predictions on the potential power output of a larger-scale system can be made. This will assist the Company in communicating the significant potential larger-scale opportunity of the Energy InkTM.
Application FocusMarket entry is focused on where solar or grid energy is impractical or too expensive. The Company is working with experts from specialised areas, such as electric vehicle charging and computing infrastructure, to identify initial applications that leverage the features of the Energy InkTM.Summary of potential features:
- Renewable green energy
- Utilises free, limitless ambient moisture
- Generate energy both day and night
- Portability, lightweight, flexible materials
- Position in a cabinet indoors or outdoors
- Avoid expensive grid infrastructure
- Much smaller footprint
- Printable materials reducing time and cost
Short-Term Development Paths
Australian Advanced Materials (100% owned) is working with Prof. Dewei Chu and a team from the University of New South Wales to convert moisture into electrical energy. Breakthroughs in moisture-to-energy conversion are currently being engineered into an ink formula. The short-term development path is as follows:
- Nano-engineering of recent discoveries into an ink formula
- Optimisation of the ink to enable cells to be printed freestanding or onto a polymer, creating an ultra-thin layer of approx. 200 micrometres (2 pieces of paper)
- Fabrication and testing of Energy InkTM cells with power density exceeding solar (>20mW per cm2)
- Nano-engineering and optimisation are expected to take approximately 12 weeks.
- Fabrication and testing are expected to take a further 10-12 weeks.
An additional significant development in Energy InkTM cells for renewable energy is being finalised, and information will be released when appropriate.
In conjunction with the Company’s Perth Engineering Lab, the team is developing and testing an Energy InkTM cell for use in wearable technologies. Part of this work is funded by the Australian Federal Government under a $1.6M project1. Recent success has been demonstrated in powering Electronic Skin Patches, which need to sense, collect data and communicate via Bluetooth to a phone or reader.
The team is also seeking to develop a different type of Energy InkTM cell, customised specifically for use in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. A $2.7M Project is currently under consideration for Federal Government support2 to develop alternative power sources for IoT sensors. If successful, funding, expertise and highly advanced, specialised equipment will be available to commence a significant development program in April, 2023.
Comments
Prof. Dewei Chu, the key inventor and head of the UNSW team, said, “We are very keen to work with the Strategic Elements team and potential end users of the Energy Ink to leverage the great potential of moisture-enabled power generation in applications from wearable electronics to IoT sensors and now to larger-scale electricity generation”.
Strategic Elements Ltd Managing Director Charles Murphy said, “It is obvious that the potential rewards from the successful development of larger-scale Energy Ink systems are immense. However, it should also be recognised that the technology is under development and still has risks. Success in the short-term development pathway outlined will provide a strong, early indication of the technology’s potential to scale up and power certain larger-scale systems”.
Strategic Elements (ASX:SOR) – Pooled Development Fund
The Australian Federal Government has registered Strategic Elements (SOR) as a Pooled Development Fund with a mandate to back Australian innovation. The Company supports leading Australian scientists and innovators in high-risk-high reward ventures. SOR majority funds initial development whilst seeking a major strategic investor/partner to assist commercialisation. Investors in SOR have potential tax benefits as the Company operates under the Pooled Development Program. More information should be read on the Company’s website.
More Information: Mr Charles Murphy, Managing Director, Strategic Elements Ltd
Phone: +61 8 9278 2788 admin@strategicelements.com.au www.strategicelements.com.au
This announcement was authorised for release by the Strategic Elements’ Board of Directors.
Beating solar’s power density? SOR’s Energy Ink tech is already 70% of the way there
Just a day since Strategic Elements said its Energy Ink technology is on track to dethrone solar as the power density king for renewable energy, it has now revealed just how close it already is to doing so.
The magic number here is 70%. That’s right, the company’s Energy Ink tech for generating electricity from moisture in the air is already capable of 14 milliwatts (mW) per cm2, well within shouting distance of the 20mW/cm2 that solar cells generate.
This was achieved by leveraging breakthroughs in the fundamental mechanisms that convert moisture to energy and integrating them into nanoionic inks that enable high power density.
And to top it off, Energy Ink’s power density puts all other relevant moisture electricity generation technologies published in global literature – i.e. not some black project that has been hidden away – on notice as it’s more than 200 times the power density that they have reported to date.
So just how significant is this achievement?
While beating solar at its game is an admirable goal for Strategic Elements (ASX:SOR), the amount of power that Energy Ink is already capable of generating is downright impressive, especially since the graphene oxide based ink is doing so through its interaction with moisture in the air.
Not only is the tech already well able to generate more than enough power then is needed by the leading continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) skin patch over seven days, 70% of solar’s energy density likely already makes it a viable alternative to solar power under certain circumstances.
That Energy Ink isn’t reliant on the sun shining is already a major plus in its favour as it opens up applications where consistent power supply is essential.
Detailed development plans
Despite this, Strategic Elements still has beating solar’s power density firmly in its sights, no doubt because it will open up more large-scale opportunities (and – let’s admit it – for the bragging rights).
It has now spelled out a more specific timeframe to achieve this objective.
Over the next six weeks, the company will nano engineer discoveries in the fundamental mechanisms that convert moisture to energy into an ink formula.
It will then optimise the ink to produce ultra-thin cells of approximately 200 micrometres (or two sheets of paper), a process that is expected to take another six weeks.
This will lead to the fabrication and test of Energy Ink cells which Strategic Elements believes will be capable of exceeding the power density of solar.
Watch this space…