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Project Progress

Sustaining a biosphere deep within rocks requires different energy flows than those associated with a surface biosphere. We propose a novel mechanism, a Piezoelectrochemical Effect (PZEC effect) for the direct conversion of mechanical energy to chemical energy. This phenomenon is further applied for generating hydrogen and oxygen via direct-water decomposition by means of as-synthesized piezoelectric quartz micro rods, ZnO micro-fibers and BaTiO₃ micro-dendrites. Fibers and dendrites are vibrated with ultrasonic waves leading to a strain-induced electric charge development on their surface. With sufficient electric potential, strained piezoelectric fibers (and dendrites) in water triggered the redox reaction of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. A stoichiometric ratio of H₂: O₂ (2:1) initial gas production from pure water has been demonstrated.

We have investigated the PZEC phenomenon takes place in geologic systems by employing natural strained quartz crystals for the direct conversion of mechanical energy to chemical energy. We propose a new pathway for the generation of hydrogen gas in nature through deformation in fault zones called Tectonic Hydrogen. PZEC effect is also valid in other naturally formed materials that contain quartz crystals. Sandstones for example contain large quantities of quartz grain; as a result, when under strain or stress the strained-induced charges accumulate on the quartz surface and the redox reaction of the water molecule attaching on the surface will be initialed with appropriate charge potential.