Researchers in Ireland have reportedly discovered a new way to convert sustainable wood products into electricity. It is reported that the project is dedicated to exploring new value-added applications for Irish wood.
Experts at the University of Limerick say it's a sustainable strategy to reduce expenses and environmental impact. At the same time, the study showed that the use of "low-grade heat from lignin-derived membranes" can effectively generate electricity.
According to Maurice N Collins, a professor of materials science at the UL School of Engineering, low-grade heat comes from a variety of sources, such as industrial waste heat, heat loss from thermal insulation systems, ocean thermal gradients, biomass fermentation, and solar energy.
Despite its potential, utilizing low-grade thermal energy in energy harvesting applications has been challenging due to the lack of cost-effective technologies. Maurice n Collins said.
Lignin, on the other hand, generally refers to wood residues that are often overlooked in paper and pulp production. The researchers found that lignin-derived membranes can convert waste heat into electricity by harnessing the movement of charged atoms (ions) in the material.
"While there is still room for further development in thermoelectric conversion applications, the study shows that the abundant amount of lignin available can successfully facilitate the harvesting of low-grade thermal energy, especially where sustainability and cost-effectiveness are critical," said Maurice N Collins, professor of materials science at the UL School of Engineering, in a press release. ”
It is understood that this study, in collaboration with the University of Valencia, marks a major step forward, as earlier studies only used cellulose from logs, while this study explored the use of ionic thermoelectric membranes made from lignin. Lignin, an underutilized by-product in the paper and pulp industry, offers a sustainable solution.