SFU team looks to tackle climate change with 'energy-harvesting' technology
A Simon Fraser University professor has created a network of the world's greatest energy harvesting experts in an attempt to help tackle climate change.
Vincenzo Pecunia and over 100 internationally recognized scientists are working together to document ways to improve a product that can convert energy into clean power.
"These materials have the ability to convert ambient energy from various sources, including light, heat, radiofrequency waves (like those from Wi-Fi and mobile signals), and mechanical vibrations," says Pecunia.
He refers to all of this ambient energy as "wasted energy," and says the small chip can be inserted anywhere energy or friction is produced, including on sidewalks and clothing.
"It's essential to develop energy-harvesting materials that can efficiently capture this energy and convert it to electricity," Pecunia says. "Another important priority is to develop energy harvesters that can be applied on all types of surfaces and objects, which requires energy harvesting materials that are mechanically flexible."
As Canada and countries around the world look to combat climate change while developing goals to achieve net-zero emissions over the next few decades, Pecunia says this technology could come in handy.
Since September, he has been joined by several students who are also contributing to the project.
Javith Mohammed moved to Surrey from India in the fall, specifically to learn about sustainable energy and obtain his graduate degree.
"My dream is to develop prototypes that involve sustainable energy to help society," said Mohammed.
He is now receiving hands-on experience in the field and helping pave the way for Pecunia's vision to become a reality.
At this time, Pecunia says the energy-harvesting technology is only being produced at a small scale, but has the potential to be manufactured in larger qualities.
"We're at the stage where there are some companies that are being established, and there are some big actors in Canada specifically making those materials and upscaling the production," says Pecunia.
In the meantime, Pecunia says his team of researchers is working to make the material more efficient, in the hope of rolling it out to the public in the near future.
Correction
A previous version of this story misspelled Javith Mohammed's name.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.