Energy harvesting that are able to operate in higher temperature gradients, and that can conduct electricity well without also conducting heat (something that was until recently thought impossible ), will result in increased efficiency. Future work in thermoelectrics could be to convert wasted heat, such as in automobile engine combustion, into electricity. This type of harvesting is based on the changing capacitance of vibration-dependent capacitors. Vibrations separate the plates of a charged variable capacitor, and mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy. Electrostatic energy harvesters need a polarization source to work and to convert mechanical energy from vibrations into electricity. The polarization
Dalian Minzu University Dalian Minzu University Dalian Minzu University () is located in Dalian, Liaoning, People's Republic of China and directly supervised by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission. Dalian Minzu University was founded in 1997. As the only Nationalities University focusing on technology and applied science, it has grown very rapidly ever since. It is now one of the leading universities in Northeast China. Students of DLNU have won numerous awards in various scientific and technological competitions, including winning Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) 2005, representing China to compete in Robocup 2007, Winning Microsoft Imagine Cup in China 2008 and Second Price internationally