Sound waves have turned out to be one of promising energy sources when using highly efficient nanogenerators. Many moves the self-powering systems by scavenging energy from environments using thermoelectric, photovoltaic, and piezoelectric phenomena have been intensively explored. Among them, very recent pioneering research has been carried out in converting the external mechanical stimuli into electricity which results in the innovation of piezoelectric power driven wireless self powered systems. Such power generating systems mainly intend to capture the normally wasted energy and convert it to usable form of energy for operating various electrical devices.

In this modernized world, we can hear speech, noise or music everywhere every time. But sound as a form of mechanical energy could potentially be used as a resource for piezoelectric power generation. Researchers are working on this concept to turn sound energy from music, speech, or noise into electrical power.

Sound driven nanogenerators

Latest researches are aiming at converting the external mechanical spurs such as gas flow, body movements, blood flow, heartbeat, and even ultrasonic waves into electric energy. The primary objective is to convert the normally dissipated energy into usable form which can be used to drive electrically run devices. The piezoelectric nanowires based nanogenerators can be driven utilizing sound as a power source. This is a recent development by a Korean research team. The task of converting the sound energy waves to usable electrical form is highly difficult and was not possible using the existing energy harvesters like PZT-based bulk etc. This difficulty was overcome when zinc oxide nanowires were used which turned out to be a great sensitive response to sound energy. Any sound wave falling on the device and reaching the zinc oxide nanowired network generates an output voltage of more than 50 mV through the nanogenerator. Though the generated power is not very significant but the ongoing researches promise to harness the energy in a much efficient and utilizable quantity.

Impact of sound waves in the advancements of electric sector

The energy produced by the sound waves helps in the generation of electrical energy. Research works are going on to a situation where cellular phones could be charged while in conversation due to the impact of user’s sound and the noisy highways’ sound-insulating walls could produce electricity with the help of the sound that passing vehicles create. Also the second application will lead to a significant reduction in the noise produced by the moving vehicles. A few other applications could be devices requiring less input power such as e-papers, self-run sensors, or tiny devices those are implanted on body.