Biological Power Extraction System for Remote Energy Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The high costs and inefficiencies associated with traditional electricity distribution and generation, particularly in remote areas where transmission networks are absent or impractical, necessitate the exploration of alternative and sustainable power sources.

Innovation Solution

A system that harnesses electricity from non-animal organisms, such as plants and fungi, by using electrical conductors to draw and store energy, which is then filtered and provided to electrical loads like LEDs, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enabling power in remote locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If electricity is generated and transmitted through traditional transmission networks, then power can be delivered to consumers, but transmission costs and energy loss increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy loss due to transmission resistanceVSAvoidtransmission network infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electricity generation function from the centralized power plant model and places it directly at the point of use (in homes and businesses). By installing fuel cell systems locally, the transmission network and its associated losses are eliminated or minimized, as electricity is generated on-site rather than transmitted over long distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel cell systems are designed to be self-contained units that generate their own electricity locally. These systems can operate independently using natural gas or other fuels stored on-premises, reducing dependence on external transmission infrastructure and enabling self-sufficient power generation at the consumer level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If traditional fuel-based electricity generation is used, then high power output is achieved, but fuel costs and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generation capacityVSAvoidfuel costs and emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of fuel utilization by employing fuel cell technology that converts chemical energy to electrical energy with much higher efficiency (40-60%) compared to traditional combustion methods. This parameter change in conversion efficiency reduces both fuel consumption and associated costs while minimizing harmful emissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel cell systems convert what would traditionally be waste products (heat and exhaust from combustion) into useful outputs. The high-temperature exhaust from fuel cells can be captured and used for heating purposes, converting a harmful waste product into a beneficial energy source that further reduces overall fuel consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS7466032B2Power from a non-animal organism

Publication Date: 2008.12.16 VOLTREE POWER INC

AI summary

A system includes a non-animal organism, a first electrical conductor electrically coupled to the non-animal organism, a second electrical conductor coupled to a ground, and an electrical load coupled between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor to draw electricity from the non-animal organism, the electrical load being configured to operate using electricity drawn from the non-animal organism.