Biohybrid Wind Energy Generators Based
on Living Plants
Fabian Meder 1(B) , Marc Thielen 2 , Giovanna Adele Naselli 1 , Silvia Taccola 1 ,
Thomas Speck 2,3 , and Barbara Mazzolai 1(B)
1 Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34,
56025 Pontedera, Italy
{fabian.meder,barbara.mazzolai}@iit.it
2 Plant Biomechanics Group, Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg,
Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
3 Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT–Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials
and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105,
79110 Freiburg, Germany
Abstract. Biohybrid approaches harnessing living systems and biological tissue
to accumulate electrical energy have potential to contribute green and autonomous
power sources. We recently discovered that the cuticle-cellular tissue bilayer in
higher plant leaves functions as an integrated triboelectric generator that is capable
of converting mechanical stimuli into electricity. In this manner, living plants can
be used to transduce mechanical energy such as wind energy into electricity. Here,
we report on two essential components of the plant-biohybrid energy harvesting
prototypes studied in Ficus microcarpa and Rhododendron yakushimanum, which
are 1) the electrodes at the plant tissue that are used to harvest the electrical signals
and 2) the wind-induced mechanical interactions between plants and an artificial
leaf based on a silicone rubber/indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate multilayer that is installed at the plant’s leaf to enhance the power output. We show
moreover that in the same manner a Nerium oleander plant can directly power
50 LEDs and a digital thermometer under wind excitation. The results reveal
design strategies for biohybrid energy harvesters on the basis of living plants that
could become autonomous energy sources for sensor networks and environmental
monitoring.
Keywords: Biohybrid energy sources · In vivo energy sources · Plants ·
Triboelectric generators · Green energy
1 Introduction
The quest for green, emission-free, resource-saving, and autonomous energy sources
requires considering radically new approaches. Among them are biohybrid devices
based on natural components and living organisms combined with tailored artificial
components making use of nature’s fascinating properties. Plant-hybrid technologies
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
V. Vouloutsi et al. (Eds.): Living Machines 2020, LNAI 12413, pp. 234–244, 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64313-3_23
on Living Plants
Fabian Meder 1(B) , Marc Thielen 2 , Giovanna Adele Naselli 1 , Silvia Taccola 1 ,
Thomas Speck 2,3 , and Barbara Mazzolai 1(B)
1 Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34,
56025 Pontedera, Italy
{fabian.meder,barbara.mazzolai}@iit.it
2 Plant Biomechanics Group, Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg,
Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
3 Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT–Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials
and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105,
79110 Freiburg, Germany
Abstract. Biohybrid approaches harnessing living systems and biological tissue
to accumulate electrical energy have potential to contribute green and autonomous
power sources. We recently discovered that the cuticle-cellular tissue bilayer in
higher plant leaves functions as an integrated triboelectric generator that is capable
of converting mechanical stimuli into electricity. In this manner, living plants can
be used to transduce mechanical energy such as wind energy into electricity. Here,
we report on two essential components of the plant-biohybrid energy harvesting
prototypes studied in Ficus microcarpa and Rhododendron yakushimanum, which
are 1) the electrodes at the plant tissue that are used to harvest the electrical signals
and 2) the wind-induced mechanical interactions between plants and an artificial
leaf based on a silicone rubber/indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate multilayer that is installed at the plant’s leaf to enhance the power output. We show
moreover that in the same manner a Nerium oleander plant can directly power
50 LEDs and a digital thermometer under wind excitation. The results reveal
design strategies for biohybrid energy harvesters on the basis of living plants that
could become autonomous energy sources for sensor networks and environmental
monitoring.
Keywords: Biohybrid energy sources · In vivo energy sources · Plants ·
Triboelectric generators · Green energy
1 Introduction
The quest for green, emission-free, resource-saving, and autonomous energy sources
requires considering radically new approaches. Among them are biohybrid devices
based on natural components and living organisms combined with tailored artificial
components making use of nature’s fascinating properties. Plant-hybrid technologies
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
V. Vouloutsi et al. (Eds.): Living Machines 2020, LNAI 12413, pp. 234–244, 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64313-3_23