RUNNER HEAD: STATIC ELECTRICITY

Static Electricity
By Amy Nguyen and Sidney Boakye
09/29/2016
Governor's School @ Innovation Park
Dr. Psaker

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Abstract (Summary)
Harvesting energy is has become a huge problem during the flow of the last two
centuries. Nonrenewable resources are quickly fading away, and renewables are a very big drain
on our economic power and scarce time. New discoveries made in the field of energy have
introduced a new idea for cost effective energy, triboelectricity. Triboelectricity or static
electricity is generated by friction on certain conductive surfaces. When this happens it is called
the Triboelectric Effect. The Triboelectric effect happens when two substances are rubbed
together, as this friction is created, static electricity is generated as an effect of the friction.

The basis of modern technology is electrical technology, or energy that goes

through a metal wire from the place where it is generated. Example of this are a battery or a
power station. Then the energy is displaced into where the user wishes it to go. Electricity never
stops and is generated from potential energy sources usually found in oil, coal, or any source of
power that can be identified. As mentioned briefly above, although the materials are effective for
present use, they are projected to run out relatively soon. This leave scientists and researchers
scrambling to find a renewable source of energy that is just as efficient as previous sources.
Currently they are exploring the area of Triboelectricity, an extremely common and natural
phenomena where electricity is produced through friction. It is truly exciting thinking of all the
possibilities for this overlooked occurrence.

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Materials and Methods:

Static electricity is generated through certain conditions met. Such as carpet or a metal
doorknob. When ones feet shuffles against the carpet, it generates friction. While the friction is
being generated atoms become charged within, they hold this charge as potential energy. This
potential energy forming is known as the Triboelectric energy or static electricity. Metal is a very
good conductor of electricity. Thus, when ones hand comes in contact with the doorknob, an
electric shock will be returned.

STATIC ELECTRICITY

Analysis
Because triboelectricity is the basis of our project, knowing the specifics of what
goes on at an atomic and physical level will aid us in our research. This article will come in
handy later on. We believe that we can harness the power of triboelectricity to power a small
device like a cell phone or a radio. With the power coming from static electricity the energy is
readily available for our usage. All we need to do is build a device which can produce static
electricity. We then store the power in some type of a container so that we may be able to tap
back into it when we need to power a device. Finally, we just release the energy into a device
when we need it.

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References
Woodford, C. (2016). What is static electricity and what causes it? Retrieved September 29,
2016, from http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-static-electricity-works.html