Molybdenum News Center

MoS2 Rectifier Can Convert Wi-Fi Signals into Electrical Energy

An ultra-thin two-dimensional device that can convert alternating electromagnetic waves such as Wi-Fi signals propagating in the air into electrical energy was reported to be developed by engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The device can effectively improve the flexibility of existing rectenna system and expand the size of terminal equipment. 

You may be curious about the device. Actually, it is a rectifier made up of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). The antenna is a kind of energy conversion device and transmitting antenna converts the guided wave into a space radiated wave, and the receiving antenna converts the space radiated wave into a guided wave. It is widely used in engineering systems such as radio communication, broadcasting, television, radar, navigation, electronic countermeasures, remote sensing, radio astronomy, etc. Although it brings certain convenience to the society, the scope of application is still quite limited.

In order to further enhance the flexibility and scalability of the rectenna system, MIT researchers used molybdenum disulfide components to construct a new type of rectifier, which can better convert electromagnetic waves into electric current. According to the researchers, the MoS2 rectifier can capture and convert wireless signals up to 10GHz with an energy efficiency of about 30%-more flexible and faster than other designs. Of course, there are other technologies that can achieve nearly 60% efficiency.

However, the power generated by the MoS2 solution is relatively small, but it is still very suitable for use in small wearable or medical electronic devices, eliminating the need for batteries. Relevant research results have been published in the recently published "Nature" journal. The original title is: "Two-dimensional MoS2-enabled flexible rectenna for Wi-Fi-band wireless energy harvesting".

The two-dimensional MoS2-enabled flexible rectenna is a low-dimensional wide band gap semiconductor material, and the thickness of the layer is only equivalent to three atoms, which has excellent electrochemical performance and semiconductor effect. 

At present, there are many methods for preparing MoS2, such as ammonium tetrathiomolybdate thermal decomposition method, hydrogen sulfide or sulfur vapor reduction method, high-energy ball milling method, carbon nanotube space confinement method, hydrothermal synthesis method, high-energy physical means and chemistry law combination and so on.

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