The future methods of generating electricity?

unclebob

Quote by Khashishi

In fusion, it should be possible to get the hot helium atoms to flow against a voltage gradient and run into an electrode. The electrons would be steered toward another electrode. This would convert helium kinetic energy into DC electricity fairly directly. You wouldn't need turbines and a heat exchanger.

Thanks guy for all of your responses it has been very enlightening. uncle bob

mrspeedybob

I haven't seen thermocouples mentioned.

sophiecentaur

Quote by Miyz

Yet, do you all think the magnet + conductor method will be replaced? I mean something else would be more useful and sufficient?

The future always has promising innovation, but I personally believe this method will stick with us for a very long time.

Yep. You've got it about right, I think. Unless we ever have a surfeit of lemons with zinc and carbon rods.

TheDemx27

Piezoelectric strips on car tires, rather than in roads?

sophiecentaur

If it reduces your mpg (which it would have to, to produce appreciable amounts of energy), would there be any point?

TheDemx27

Quote by sophiecentaur

If it reduces your mpg (which it would have to, to produce appreciable amounts of energy), would there be any point?

So true. It would probably waste more energy than create it as well. Another kind of perpetual motion machine baloney. Thanks for confirming.

sophiecentaur

It made me think of those flashing trainers that kids wear - but I believe they have batteries in them - what a waste. It would wear the little darlings out quicker if they actually needed to supply the energy from their own muscles.

Crazymechanic

Some of you mentioned the fusion and magnetohydrodynamics things here , well I personally think it could be a good thing if only we could learn to achieve the first thing the fusion itself and sustain it for considerable amounts of time.
When the hot ions would pass through coils that would generate electricity also the method about the helium atoms and DC which was mentioned here sounds interesting although haven't read on that one.
Because on the current technology we are actually wasting alot of energy that we just can't get like an average RBMK or other nuclear fission reactor is rated at maximum thermal power of about 3000MW of which only about 1000mw is the maximum electricity produced I think mainly due to the water/steam/turbine 30/40% efficiency level.
I think with the MHD that generates electricity directly from the plasma charge we could get better efficiency ratings.

Thermolelctric

Various resonant systems seem very promising for small scale electricity generation from heat difference.
Thermoacoustic heat engines for example.
Some interesting videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...3e1jtMW_o&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

dbmorpher

Well there is really only a few major types of energy
Mechanical, Electric, Electromagnetic, Magnetic, Nuclear, and Thermal
There will be a limited number of conversions because there is a limited number of energies.

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TheDemx27	Piezoelectric strips on car tires, rather than in roads?

sophiecentaur Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	If it reduces your mpg (which it would have to, to produce appreciable amounts of energy), would there be any point?

Thermolelctric	Various resonant systems seem very promising for small scale electricity generation from heat difference. Thermoacoustic heat engines for example. Some interesting videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...3e1jtMW_o&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

dbmorpher	Well there is really only a few major types of energy Mechanical, Electric, Electromagnetic, Magnetic, Nuclear, and Thermal There will be a limited number of conversions because there is a limited number of energies.