Scientists create biomimetic tree that generates electricity

SEEKING a new way to make electricity, scientists at the Iowa State University have developed a treelike device whose artificial leaves sway in the wind to generate electricity.

The device’s design was pioneered by Michael McCloskey, associate professor of genetics. He said conceptually it is not a replacement for wind turbines.

However, in the long term, the technology can create a specialised market for small machines that can convert wind energy into electric power.

“The possible advantages here are aesthetics and its smaller scale, which may allow off-grid energy harvesting,” McCloskey said.

He said the effort has been to generate useful amounts of electrical power from a plant-like object. The answer is positive and the idea needs further development.

McCloskey cited the example of Las Vegas where telecom towers have been designed in the shape of Iowa State University campus trees with the leaves hiking the aesthetic appeal. The experiment shows energy can be tapped from the leaves of such objects as well.

The study published in PLOS ONE explains the team’s foray into biomimetics, which is about applying artificial means to ape natural processes. It has gained good traction in many fields including computers and nanoscience.

Featuring a metallic trellis, the prototype has plastic flaps fashioned as leaves of cottonwood.