A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices

Wenzhu Lin; Wen Zhao; Yawei Feng; Sihong He; Yuyi Liu; Jing He; Sijie Mao; Steven Wang

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120396

A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices

Wenzhu Lin (Co-first Author)
, Wen Zhao (Co-first Author)
, Yawei Feng
, Sihong He
, Yuyi Liu
, Jing He
, Sijie Mao
, Steven Wang^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Moisture electricity generation (MEG) has attracted growing attention as a sustainable approach to harvesting energy from atmospheric moisture. While recent studies have demonstrated the potential for continuous power generation, most MEG systems still face limitations such as performance degradation under environmental fluctuations. This study introduces an innovative solution by integrating moisture electricity generation with passive cooling to create a dual-functional system. A novel hydrogel-based hygroscopic material, consisting of PVA-PA-LiCl, is developed and applied to electronic devices to simultaneously harvest moisture for electricity generation and provide evaporative cooling. The hydrogel achieves a high power density of 3.48 μW/cm² and reduces the device temperature by up to 8.3 °C during operation. This work presents a promising approach for combining waste heat recovery and moisture-based power generation, offering a sustainable solution for efficient electronic cooling and continuous energy harvesting. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

Original language	English
Article number	120396
Number of pages	10
Journal	Energy Conversion and Management
Volume	345
Online published	20 Aug 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120396
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (No. 11217523).

Research Keywords

Dual-functional System
Evaporative cooling
Moisture electricity generation
Passive cooling

RGC Funding Information

RGC-funded

Access Output

10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120396

Other Access Options

Check CityUHK Library

Permanent Link

Right click to copy link

Cite this

@article{9b4fbccc6d4543a5b9f556bf33f406ac,

title = "A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices",

abstract = "Moisture electricity generation (MEG) has attracted growing attention as a sustainable approach to harvesting energy from atmospheric moisture. While recent studies have demonstrated the potential for continuous power generation, most MEG systems still face limitations such as performance degradation under environmental fluctuations. This study introduces an innovative solution by integrating moisture electricity generation with passive cooling to create a dual-functional system. A novel hydrogel-based hygroscopic material, consisting of PVA-PA-LiCl, is developed and applied to electronic devices to simultaneously harvest moisture for electricity generation and provide evaporative cooling. The hydrogel achieves a high power density of 3.48 μW/cm2 and reduces the device temperature by up to 8.3 °C during operation. This work presents a promising approach for combining waste heat recovery and moisture-based power generation, offering a sustainable solution for efficient electronic cooling and continuous energy harvesting. {\textcopyright} 2025 Elsevier Ltd.",

keywords = "Dual-functional System, Evaporative cooling, Moisture electricity generation, Passive cooling",

author = "Wenzhu Lin and Wen Zhao and Yawei Feng and Sihong He and Yuyi Liu and Jing He and Sijie Mao and Steven Wang",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120396",

language = "English",

volume = "345",

journal = "Energy Conversion and Management",

issn = "0196-8904",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

}

A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices. / Lin, Wenzhu (Co-first Author); Zhao, Wen (Co-first Author); Feng, Yawei et al.
In: Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 345, 120396, 01.12.2025.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices

AU - Lin, Wenzhu

AU - Zhao, Wen

AU - Feng, Yawei

AU - He, Sihong

AU - Liu, Yuyi

AU - He, Jing

AU - Mao, Sijie

AU - Wang, Steven

PY - 2025/12/1

Y1 - 2025/12/1

N2 - Moisture electricity generation (MEG) has attracted growing attention as a sustainable approach to harvesting energy from atmospheric moisture. While recent studies have demonstrated the potential for continuous power generation, most MEG systems still face limitations such as performance degradation under environmental fluctuations. This study introduces an innovative solution by integrating moisture electricity generation with passive cooling to create a dual-functional system. A novel hydrogel-based hygroscopic material, consisting of PVA-PA-LiCl, is developed and applied to electronic devices to simultaneously harvest moisture for electricity generation and provide evaporative cooling. The hydrogel achieves a high power density of 3.48 μW/cm2 and reduces the device temperature by up to 8.3 °C during operation. This work presents a promising approach for combining waste heat recovery and moisture-based power generation, offering a sustainable solution for efficient electronic cooling and continuous energy harvesting. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

AB - Moisture electricity generation (MEG) has attracted growing attention as a sustainable approach to harvesting energy from atmospheric moisture. While recent studies have demonstrated the potential for continuous power generation, most MEG systems still face limitations such as performance degradation under environmental fluctuations. This study introduces an innovative solution by integrating moisture electricity generation with passive cooling to create a dual-functional system. A novel hydrogel-based hygroscopic material, consisting of PVA-PA-LiCl, is developed and applied to electronic devices to simultaneously harvest moisture for electricity generation and provide evaporative cooling. The hydrogel achieves a high power density of 3.48 μW/cm2 and reduces the device temperature by up to 8.3 °C during operation. This work presents a promising approach for combining waste heat recovery and moisture-based power generation, offering a sustainable solution for efficient electronic cooling and continuous energy harvesting. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

KW - Dual-functional System

KW - Evaporative cooling

KW - Moisture electricity generation

KW - Passive cooling

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013484246

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013484246#tab=impact

U2 - 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120396

DO - 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120396

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 0196-8904

VL - 345

JO - Energy Conversion and Management

JF - Energy Conversion and Management

M1 - 120396

ER -

A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

GRF: Harvesting Water and Energy from the Air: Developing a Fog-based Self-powered System (FSS) for Efficient Fog Harvesting

Cite this

A dual-function hydrogel-based moisture electricity generation and passive cooling system for electronic devices

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

Projects

GRF: Harvesting Water and Energy from the Air: Developing a Fog-based Self-powered System (FSS) for Efficient Fog Harvesting

Cite this