Chung-Ang University Innovates with Hydrovoltaic Technology for Energy and Fire Detection

In an exciting development from Chung-Ang University in South Korea, researchers have pioneered a dual-purpose hydrovoltaic device capable of generating electricity from water while also functioning as a rapid-response fire detector. This significant advancement comes at a crucial time when the demand for clean energy sources is surging amid the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. With traditional fire detection systems often running into issues like false alarms and dependency on battery power, this new hydrovoltaic technology opens doors to a sustainable solution.

A New Era of Hydrovoltaic Systems

The concept of generating electricity through the interaction of water and nanostructured materials has been gaining traction as more energy-efficient alternatives. Known as hydrovoltaic (HV) systems, they leverage the potential difference generated by the movement of protons in response to evaporation from water. This innovative device from Chung-Ang University has effectively tapped into this mechanism not only to produce energy but also to improve fire detection capabilities, a first in its field.

How It Works

The hydrovoltaic device developed by a team led by Associate Professor Byungil Hwang can generate up to a few tens of microwatts of power. It's designed for small-scale applications, making it an ideal candidate for use in fire detectors and other health monitoring systems. The unique nature of this HV system allows it to operate effectively with just a small amount of water, which sets it apart from traditional fire alarms that often rely on batteries—something that poses a risk during fires as batteries can explode due to heat.

This innovative fire detector is partially submerged in water to ensure continuous energy supply, and it only reacts to changes in water flow directly caused by evaporation—a common occurrence during a fire. This method mitigates issues found in conventional systems, such as false triggers from cooking smoke or steam, while also reducing maintenance efforts.

Advanced Technology Behind the Device

The hydrovoltaic device employs a nanoporous layer made from waste cotton combined with Triton X-100 and PPy (polypyrrole) known collectively as CPT. By including corrosion-resistant aluminum electrodes at both ends of a cylindrical tube, with one end submerged in water, the device captures the electrical differences generated when protons are attracted to a charged surface. As temperature increases and evaporation occurs, water moves from the submerged area to the dry zone, creating an electrical flow.

The device's design not only supports the generation of electricity but also enhances light absorption thanks to the black color of PPy, further increasing its efficiency. Under infrared light, it can produce maximum voltages of 0.42 volts combined with currents of 16-20 microamperes.

Fast Response and Long-Term Stability

What makes this hydrovoltaic device particularly remarkable is its rapid response time—detecting fires within an impressive 5 to 10 seconds. Additionally, it boasts strong performance and stability over extended testing periods, demonstrating no corrosion or degradation in operational capabilities after 28 days of continuous use.

As Professor Hwang highlights, this research marks a paradigm shift, showcasing the potential of hydrovoltaic systems in fire detection. The technology not only holds promise for fire alarm applications but may also serve as a sustainable power source for a variety of sensor systems related to health and environmental monitoring, which require consistent operation.

This groundbreaking development was first made available online on January 4, 2025, and published in the Chemical Engineering Journal on February 1, 2025. With this advancement, Chung-Ang University is setting the stage for innovative sensor solutions that could redefine our approach to energy and safety.

For more details about the device, refer to the original research titled "Photo-sensitive hydrovoltaic energy harvester with fire-sensing functionality," which can be accessed through the Chemical Engineering Journal.