Green power generators

Whoo, check this out, latest news from PhysOrg!

Artificial Leaves Generate Power by Pumping Water

(PhysOrg.com) -- Natural leaves constantly lose water through evaporation, as the water in their veins is pumped up to the top of the tree. This process, called transpiration, could also create a mechanical water pump effect in synthetic leaves, and be used to generate power.

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and MIT have constructed leaves out of glass wafers with tiny veins through which water can flow. The veins open at the tips of the glass "leaves," where evaporation draws water out of the veins at a rate of about 1.5 cm/sec.

Then, the researchers wired the leaves by adding metal plates to the walls of the central stems and connecting them to a circuit. By charging the metal plates, the researchers created a capacitor made from the two conducting plates separated by an insulating layer.

Clearly, these people still have quite a ways to go. But..but! Yes, but I already can see some good possibilities coming on!.. For example, these microwafers of glass could be integrated with solar panels.. and this whole contraption placed out in the sun! Or instead of using the capacitor method, we can use the Hall's effect instead, and place a strong magnetic influence near these plates to generate electricity. Of course, the current and voltage produced is really going to be micro, I can see easily that if this thing is ever going to be viable is that it has to be very large scale. I also believe that a new type of energy distribution throughout the country will have to be in place. In addition to the main power generators in the country, there will be a lot a lot of micro generators, in the form solar power and wind power, connected to the grid.