Bladeless Tesla turbine turns static electricity into usable power

Researchers have developed a bladeless Tesla turbine-based system that converts static electricity generated in compressed air into usable electrical power. Inspired by Nikola Tesla’s 1913 patent for a bladeless turbine that uses viscous drag on smooth, closely spaced discs rather than traditional angled blades, the new device harnesses the triboelectric effect—static charges produced by friction between particles and pipe surfaces in compressed air systems. The turbine spins at high speeds (up to 8472 rpm at 0.2 MPa pressure) driven solely by the viscous force of swirling compressed air reaching 300 m/s, generating peak electrical outputs of 800 volts and 2.5 amps at 325 Hz without additional particles. This technology offers a dual benefit for industrial facilities already using compressed air by both generating electricity and neutralizing static charges through the production of negative ions, which also helps collect dust and moisture, improving air quality and safety. By integrating century-old turbine principles with modern triboelectric materials and electronics, the