The future methods of generating electricity?

Miyz

Two main methods of generating electricity that I know off, and that are common:
1 ) Magnets & Coils
2 ) Solar cells.

The only two methods! What do you all think are the possibile future methods?
Are we close? Is there something you recommend me of look at?
I was just thinking of how limited we are in generating electricity, and wondering when the day comes where we are not!

So what do you all think?!

Miyz,

sophiecentaur

Did you forget the Chemical Method (batteries)?

Miyz

Ow yes! Totally slipped my mind.
But other than that! What do you think is possibile in the future? Or what are some project/ideas/theories are being worked at now?

sophiecentaur

On a very small sscale, you have piezoelectric and triboelectric generation - but don't imagine you could run your car on them!
The other one would be magnetohydrodynamics which, given a massive source of high energy ions, could be 'a goer'.
Wiki can help you with all three.

russ_watters

The other chemical method: fuel cells.

And thermoelectrics.

sophiecentaur

How about Hamster Wheels, too?

SteamKing

No. Hamster wheels are prime movers, unless you have electrified hamsters running inside a magnetic cage.

sophiecentaur

I'd have the RSPCA down on me like a ton of bricks.

unclebob

AVE Where an artificial tornado is created with generators at the in let ports just google Atmospheric Vortex Engine

unclebob

There is also cold fusion

ModusPwnd

Fusion alone, cold or not, doesnt generate electricity. If you want electricity from fusion you need magnets and conductors, like always.

sophiecentaur

Magnetohydrodynamics? You could get yourself a plasma easily enough with fusion - but then I suppose the fusion wouldn't be 'cold'.

ModusPwnd

Maybe. I might just think of that as an exotic form of magnetic fields and conductors though.

unclebob

Thanks for the info. ModusPwnd your right unless you can capture free electrons. maybe??? I guess not as conductiors are still needed. again thanks

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.

Miyz

Ow very very interesting methods!

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.