University of Limerick Researchers Develop New Method for Growing Organic Crystals for Energy Harvesting
Researchers at the University of Limerick (UL) have unveiled a breakthrough in the development of organic crystals that could be used for energy-harvesting applications. This innovative method utilizes amino acid molecules—the building blocks of proteins found in the human body—to generate energy through piezoelectricity, a process where mechanical pressure produces electrical charge. The researchers published their findings in Physical Review Letters. This marks an important step towards developing lead-free, eco-friendly piezoelectric alternatives for consumer electronics and medical devices.
Piezoelectricity is found in ceramics and polymers, but recently research experiments have shown that it is possible with biological materials, such as with amino acids. Applying pressure to these molecules generated electricity at the level needed for utilitarian purposes by the researchers at Actuate Lab within UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences and the Bernal Institute. That electricity could power sensors in electronic devices like smartphones, medical equipment, and much more.
Low-Cost, Customizable Crystal Molding
The new discovery has now made it possible to fabricate organic piezoelectric crystals using a low-cost, low-temperature molding technique. Using silicon molds of any kind – discs or other forms – scientists were able to shape these crystals into custom configurations. Material is thus tailored toward individual applications: for example, components for medical devices, sensors for consumer electronics, automotive systems, etc.
When these new discs are tapped or squeezed, they produce a voltage that, when amplified could be used to power small electronic devices using forces of everyday life. This technique opens many possibilities for introducing eco-friendly and efficient energy harvesting in various products.
Potential for Eco-Friendly, Lead-Free Electronics
Led by Associate Professor Sarah Guerin, the research is part of the Pb-FREE project—short for Piezoelectric Biomolecules for Lead-Free, Reliable, Eco-Friendly Electronics—is being funded by a European Research Council (ERC) starting grant. The team aims to find a sustainable alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials that often contain environmentally harmful substances such as lead. One of the very few fields where lead is still used despite severe regulations by the European Union for the use of this toxic metal is in piezoelectrics.
Replacing lead-based materials with organic piezoelectric crystals will benefit the environment and solve a significant environmental issue. Given that about 4,000 tons of lead-based electronic waste is annually produced from piezoelectric sensors, switching to organic crystals will reduce this amount of waste and the consequences of electronics production on the environment.
Uncharted Territory in Solid-State Chemistry
Developing a stable method for the growth of organic crystals that display piezoelectricity is a great milestone in the field of solid-state chemistry. The research work from this team can serve as a basis for further experiments and studies with such piezoelectric biomolecules that can potentially be used to replace ceramics used in a myriad of industries. These breakthroughs may lead to new forms of electronics, not only highly performing but environmentally friendly as well.
Associate Professor Guerin, who won the Research Ireland (SFI) Early Career Researcher of the Year award in 2023, was optimistic about the general impacts that this work would bring in the field of piezoelectric materials. “The ability to grow biological crystals in a controlled and predictable manner is a major advancement, particularly because earlier attempts at doing so were characterized by chaotic behaviors in crystals,” she said.
Such an approach may even inspire other researchers in this line of work with reliable and scalable methodologies. Such an opportunity to integrate such materials into consumer electronics could, at least, form one of the necessary steps toward sustainability in the electronics industry.
Impact on Future Technologies
This breakthrough is expected to have significant effects on energy harvesting technologies. Industries are increasingly demanding power solutions for energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. With its potential in developing fuels or energies through mechanical forces, everyday life may become less dependent on traditional power sources, such as batteries, thus creating a sustainable future.
UL may soon be able to make the organic piezoelectric crystals work in a variety of applications, such as wearable devices and medical sensors, right up to the environmental monitoring of systems and smart technologies in homes and cars. This new material has a wide range of versatility and eco-friendliness over existing technologies that power the devices of tomorrow in an environmentally responsible way.
Conclusion
The finding can be considered as a breakthrough from researchers at the University of Limerick in the area of growing organic piezoelectric crystals in relation to energy harvesting. As the harmful chemicals lead-based materials are replaced by organic, sustainable alternatives, this research may change the face of powering electronics, thereby saving them from waste and promoting eco-friendliness. As it continues to grow, it can eventually help evolve further with new applications for energy harvesting, subsequently moving closer to a greener, more efficient future for electronic devices worldwide.
Source: University of Limerick Press Release