Is this the secret to limitless clean energy? Scientists claim we can produce power from Earth's ROTATION

While we go about our days – working, eating and sleeping – the Earth is constantly rotating through its own magnetic field.

Now, experts claim it is possible to harvest clean energy from this natural rhythm.

Scientists have managed to take advantage of the Earth's spin to generate a tiny amount of electricity.

Although the voltage they managed to produce was small, it could be the first step towards a new way to generate limitless green energy, they said.

The idea dates back hundreds of years, when scientists first began to suggest that the difference in velocity – the speed of something in a given direction - between a magnetic field and its magnet should could allow for a voltage to form.

Previous studies appear to have debunked this theory – indicating that any electrons pushed by the Earth's magnetic field would quickly rearrange themselves and cancel out any difference in charge.

However, a new experiment suggests otherwise.

Researchers used a 29.9cm-long hollow cylinder made from manganese-zinc ferrite – a material chosen to encourage the motion of magnetic fields.

This cylinder was placed in a pitch black, windowless lab to minimise any interference from light, and angled in a way so it was at a 90 degree angle to Earth's rotation and magnetic field.

Although the object was stationary in the lab, the lab itself was being carried by Earth's rotation through its own magnetic field.

This produced a magnetic force on the electrons in the object – and analysis revealed a voltage of 19 microvolts was recorded.

The team, from Princeton University and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said this voltage disappeared when the cylinder was set at a different angle or a different cylinder was used – suggesting it was being generated by Earth's rotation.

They described the findings as 'initial proof-of-concept results' and warned people to hold off celebrating for now.

However, they said their results 'provide a starting point for future investigations into ways to passively generate larger amounts of current and voltage using Earth's magnetic field'.

Writing in the journal Physical Review Research the scientists said: 'Could electricity be generated from Earth's rotation through its own magnetic field?

'Controlling for thermoelectric and other potentially confounding effects, we show that this small demonstration system generates a continuous DC voltage and current of the predicted magnitude.' 

Recent years have heralded a huge push towards clean energy, with a focus on shifting away from sources that release greenhouse gases in a bid to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Historically, fossil fuels such as coal have made up a significant amount of the energy used globally for electricity, heating and cooking.

Experts say a shift towards more clean and renewable energy sources – such as wind power and solar power – is crucial.

This could also include geothermal energy, which utilises heat from the Earth’s interior, and hydropower, which harnesses the energy of waves.

Meanwhile, a move towards nuclear energy is also gaining momentum. 

According to the World Nuclear Association, this form of power now provides about 10 per cent of the world’s electricity.

It is generated by splitting atoms – a process called nuclear fission - that releases heat when boils water into steam.

This then spins turbines to produce electricity.

No carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases are released, meaning many consider it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

While nuclear power is non-renewable – there is only a finite amount of nuclear fuel in the world – only small amounts are needed to produce large amounts of electricity.