Efficient Microfluidic Power Generator Based on Interaction between DI Water and Hydrophobic-Channel Surface

Abstract

The fabrication of power generators utilized by streaming potential has been attracting profound interests for various applications such as wearable healthcare and self-powered micro/nano systems. So far, streaming potential has been generated by a charged channel wall and accumulated counter-ions. However, this approach is assumed as no-slip boundary condition, while the slippery channel wall is critical for high efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate a microfluidic power generator based on streaming potential that can be intrinsically charged at a hydrophobic channel wall. This charging mechanism has higher values of charge density and slip boundary condition. We have achieved output voltage of similar to 2.7 V and streaming conductance density of similar to 1.23 A/m(2).bar with the channel that is similar to 2 mu m high and similar to 3.5 mu m wide. Our result is a promising step for obtaining low-cost, high efficient power-generators for micro/nano systems.