Achieving persistent and ultra-high voltage output through an arid-adapted plant-inspired high-performance moisture-electric generator

Abstract

Moisture-electric generators (MEGs) present a promising alternative to conventional batteries, particularly for off-grid and decentralized power applications. However, existing MEGs suffer from low power output, instability, and limited scalability due to sensitivity to fluctuating ambient humidity. Inspired by the transpiration of arid-adapted plants, we demonstrate a three-dimensional, self-sustained MEG (3D-SMEG) for efficient and persistent power generation through continuous moisture adsorption–desorption cycles. A biomimetic hydrophobic microporous layer, which regulates water evaporation and facilitates unidirectional hygroionic transport, can effectively decouple power generation from external humidity variations. The optimized spatial electric field creates a strong concentration gradient of ionized groups within the 3D-SMEG, significantly enhancing the electrical output. A single, compact (only 0.1 cm³ in volume) 3D-SMEG generates high power output with 1.4 V and 0.1 mA, achieving an order of magnitude improvement over conventional MEGs. Notably, the 3D-SMEG exhibits stable operation for over 1000 hours under natural environmental conditions. Furthermore, a scalable screen-printing strategy enables the integration of 500 units to achieve an ultra-high voltage of over 680 V with minimal power loss (2.8%), which is sufficient to directly power commercial electronics. This work establishes a high-performance, scalable MEG platform, paving the way for self-powered electronic devices and future moisture-driven energy infrastructures.