CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles in the US created a first-of-its-kind 3D-printed device can produce electricity from falling snow.

Detailed explanation-2: -The device called snow-based triboelectric nanogenerator, or snow TENG, generates charge through static electricity, produces energy from the exchange of electrons. “Static electricity occurs from the interaction of one material that captures electrons and another that gives up electrons,” said Kaner.

Detailed explanation-3: -Snow Positively Charged Silicone, a synthetic, rubber-like material composed of silicon atoms and oxygen atoms, combined with carbon, hydrogen and other elements, is negatively charged. So, when falling snow meets the surface of silicone, it produces a charge that the device captures, generating electricity.

Detailed explanation-4: -Well, in principle, yes, as ice is about 273 Kelvins hot!. So a heat engine can run connecting it with an even cooler source. However, the total energy expenditure will be negative.

Detailed explanation-5: -An electric generator is a device that converts a form of energy into electricity.