A new breakthrough in eco-friendly energy has been made by researchers at the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland.
They’ve developed a way to grow special organic crystals that can turn everyday motion into electricity, thanks to a property called piezoelectricity.
This discovery could power devices like sensors, medical tools, and even phone microphones in a cleaner, greener way.
What Is Piezoelectricity?
Piezoelectricity means “pressing electricity” in Greek. It’s the ability of certain materials to produce electricity when squeezed or pressed.
While it’s commonly found in ceramics and polymers, scientists have discovered it also exists in human biomolecules, like amino acids—the building blocks of proteins in our bodies.
The research team, led by Krishna Hari, a Ph.D. student, found a way to grow these energy-generating crystals using amino acids. By gently pressing these crystals, they create electricity that can be used to power small devices.
What’s exciting is their new low-cost technique for shaping these crystals. They can now mold them into specific shapes, such as disks or plates, using silicon molds, making them suitable for various uses.
For example:
- In medical devices
- As microphones in phones
- In car sensors
The electricity created can even be amplified to charge electronic gadgets using simple, everyday forces like tapping or vibrations.
This research offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials, which often rely on harmful substances like lead. Lead is a major environmental concern, with about 4,000 tons of lead-based electronic waste generated every year from sensors alone. While European regulations have banned lead in most technologies, piezoelectric devices still use it due to a lack of better options.
Associate Professor Sarah Guerin, a lead researcher on the project, explained how their work could change this. “We’re developing high-performance, sustainable alternatives that could eliminate lead from these devices entirely,” she said. Removing lead would not only help the environment but also comply with stricter regulations.
This discovery isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s a big step forward in sustainable energy technology. The team’s innovative method makes growing and shaping biomolecular crystals more practical and affordable, paving the way for other scientists to explore similar green solutions.
“We hope this will be a gamechanger for the field of sustainable piezoelectrics,” said Professor Guerin.
By replacing toxic materials with these eco-friendly crystals, this research could lead to a cleaner future for consumer electronics and inspire further advancements in green energy.
