Energy generation

Read all about our energy research including energy conversion, triboelectric and thermoelectric generation.

Flexible organic solar cells

Hybrid SCs offer numerous application possibilities. They can be rolled and used as a lightweight solar charger or integrated in the facades and windows of buildings improving the aesthetic appearance while generating green electricity at low cost.

    Ravi Silva

    The University of Surrey and Professor Ravi Silva were featured on BBC News explaining more about TENGs.

    Watch the recording (MP4)

    Publications

    • Bhaskar Dudem, RD Ishara G Dharmasena, Sontyana Adonijah Graham, Jung Woo Leem, Harishkumarreddy Patnam, Anki Reddy Mule, S Ravi P Silva*, and Jae Su Yu*, Exploring theoretical and experimental optimization towards high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators using microarchitecture silk cocoon films. Nano Energy, 2020, 74, 104822.
    • RD Ishara G Dharmasena, H.M. Cronin, R.A. Dorey, and S Ravi P Silva*, Direct current contact-mode triboelectric nanogenerators via systematic phase shifting. Nano Energy2020,75, 104887.
    • Bhaskar Dudem, Sontyana Adonijah Graham, RD Ishara G Dharmasena, S Ravi P Silva*, and Jae Su Yu*, Natural silk-composite enabled versatile robust triboelectric nanogenerators for smart applications. Nano Energy, 2021 (Just accepted).

    Energy conversion

    From our inception, we have been actively involved in research on energy conversion techniques. The research has focused on two fundamental aspects; Photovoltaic devices for converting solar radiation to electricity and light emitting diodes (LEDs) converting electrical energy to optical radiation with high efficiency.

    Thermoelectric generation

    Thermoelectric materials or devices are those that convert energy from heat into an electrical potential when a temperature gradient is induced between the two ends of a material.

    As heat is a by-product in many modern scenarios, the range of application to generate additional thermoelectric energy is vast. This includes industries such as; automotive, textile (i.e. wearable electronics), aerospace, space and power generation.

    However, current thermoelectric devices are composed of semiconductor materials which tend to be toxic, inorganic and expensive to manufacture.

    Research projects

    Get in contact

    If you'd like to learn more about this research then please email Professor Ravi Silva.