Re:An innovative approach to making electricity from the wind
by ncmncm on Friday September 06, 2019 @01:00AM
(#20893209)
I prefer the method of releasing ions to be carried away by the wind, producing charge separation that can be used to perform work. No-moving-parts windmills should be the future of wind power.
It doesn't need any exotic materials, and it scales up to unlimited size. Stretch a mesh between a pair of tall buildings, or between pylons of old, worn-out windmills, or, yes, across a kite.
Alvin Marks patented a version of it in the 80s.
He didn't say how to make the ions. Some materials spontaneously give up surface electrons to wind, so you might get away with streamers of the stuff tied where warp meets weft, if it is made slightly conductive.
It doesn't need any exotic materials, and it scales up to unlimited size. Stretch a mesh between a pair of tall buildings, or between pylons of old, worn-out windmills, or, yes, across a kite.
Alvin Marks patented a version of it in the 80s.
He didn't say how to make the ions. Some materials spontaneously give up surface electrons to wind, so you might get away with streamers of the stuff tied where warp meets weft, if it is made slightly conductive.