Trees generate small but measurable amounts of electrical energy. The few hundred millivolts a bigleaf maple generates won’t run an Ipod but maybe it’s enough for nano-devices, such as sensors that could detect environmental conditions, tree health or wildfires. A new study’s authors, from the University of Washington, looked into ways of powering such nano machines recently. We should add that this is different than the classic potato battery, which actually relies on different metals reacting with the spud to make a current. But with 2 million acres of forestlands and several hundred thousand acres in agriculture (including potatos), we’ve got the plant energy scene covered either way. [DNR manages about 3 million acres of state trustlands for revenue to public schools, universities, county services and other beneficiaries.],?p>
