Australian and Latvian researchers have discovered a way to turn waste polystyrene into a clean and relatively infinite energy source. It turns out that polystyrene is the most promising material for generating static electricity among other plastics. Static can be removed from polystyrene, stored and converted into free electricity. And all it takes for charges to build is the flow of air through the polystyrene plates.

Polystyrene, which is mainly used in packaging, is produced in quantities of 25 million tons annually. After use, they are mostly thrown into landfills. Only a small fraction of this material is recycled. The properties of polystyrene make it a long-term, decomposing waste for 500 years or more. But these qualities made it the best choice for creating electrostatic generators.

Scientists from Australia’s RMIT University and Latvian Technical University in Riga discovered that thin sheets of polystyrene blown by air flow actively generate static electricity. The plates need to be ten times thinner than a human hair. The movement of air between them causes them to rub against each other and activates a static charge, which then charges the capacitor and further charges the electrical circuit.

Scientists propose to install such an installation to generate electricity from a series of parallel polystyrene plates in places where there is constant air movement. For example, in ventilation systems. Installations will be able to feed the local network and even save up to 5% on air conditioning consumption if the air conditioners include the recommended system to collect static electricity.

In parallel with the creation of electrostatic generators from secondary raw materials, researchers studied more deeply the nature of the appearance of static charge, rather than advancing fundamental science. And earlier, a similar study was conducted by US scientists who studied the intricacies of static formation using the example of the wool of domestic cats. Returning to polystyrene, we note that the idea of ​​secondary use of polystyrene is no less valuable than the invention of a way to obtain energy with its help.