Module-Type Triboelectric Nanogenerators Capable of Harvesting Power from a Variety of Mechanical Energy Sources

Abstract

In this study, we propose a module-type triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) capable of harvesting electricity from a variety of mechanical energy sources and generating power from diverse forms that fit the modular structure of the generator. The potential energy and kinetic energy of water are used for the rotational motion of the generator module, and electricity is generated by the contact/separation generation mode between the two triboelectric surfaces inside the rotating TENG. Through the parametric design of the internal friction surface structure and mass ball, we optimized the output of the proposed structure. To magnify the power, experiments were conducted to optimize the electrical output of the series of the TENG units. Consequently, outputs of 250 V and 11 μA were obtained when the angle formed between the floor and the housing was set at 0° while nitrile was set as the positively charged material and the frequency was set at 7 Hz. The electrical signal generated by the module-type TENG can be used as a sensor to recognize the strength and direction of various physical quantities, such as wind and earthquake vibrations.

Hydrogel-Based Energy Harvesters and Self-Powered Sensors for Wearable Applications

“…The resistance change in the hydrogel, resulting from the variation in the cross-sectional area during sensor deformation, converted strain signals into electric signals, allowing for the detection of finger touch, tapping, and pressing with high sensitivity (Figure 7h). Furthermore, the hydrogel-based sensor sensitively detected finger bending at various angles (15,45,60, and 90 • ), as recorded in Figure 7i. As the bending angle increased from 0 to 90 • , a gradual increase in ∆R/R 0 (change in resistance) was observed due to increased sensor stretching.…”

“…TENGs have shown great potential in the fields of ambient energy harvesting and multi-function sensing [42][43][44][45][46]. However, research on TENGs that are completely flexible and environmentally friendly is still limited.…”

Highly Sensitive Self-Powered Biomedical Applications Using Triboelectric Nanogenerator

“…The working mechanism of a triboelectric nanogenerator for the mechanical energy scavenging and its conversion to electrical energy is based on contact-electrification and the induction effect [27,28]. Until now, several reports have been published on the self-powered sensing and detection applications of TENG [27,[42][43][44][45][46]. As there is no use of a battery for the power source and each material can show triboproperties when using bio-friendly materials, people have developed a lot of self-powered bio-medical sensors using triboelectric nanogenerators [47][48][49][50].…”

Isometric Double-Layer Staggered Chain Teeth Triboelectric Nanogenerator

“…It is generally considered that the electrostatic charge generated by friction is a kind of wasted electrical energy [ 3 ]. In 2012, Professor Zhonglin Wang invented triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology based on triboelectric and electrostatic induction coupling [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], which can collect various forms of energy and convert it into electrical energy, such as wind energy [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], ocean energy [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], vibration energy [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], human movement energy [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Compared with the traditional electromagnetic induction power generation technology, TENG has the advantages of being light weight and having a high-power generation voltage, small size, flexibility and shape flexibility, and high compatibility [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], and has received extensive attention from researchers.…”