Research on Wave Energy Harvesting Technology of Annular Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Multi-Electrode Structure

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators can convert wave energy into the electrical energy required by ocean sensors, but the problem of the low electrical output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators has always been a concern. In this paper, an annular triboelectric nanogenerator (A-TENG) composed of an annular outer shell and an inner ball is proposed to improve the electrical output performance of the triboelectric nanogenerator by optimizing the structural parameters and wave parameters. Using the control variables, the effects of structural parameters (structure size, number of electrodes, electrode spacing, inner ball diameter, and number of inner balls) and wave parameters (wave frequency and wave amplitude) on the electrical output performance of the A-TENG were studied by combining COMSOL simulation and experimental research. The experimental results show that increasing the diameter and number of inner spheres can improve the open-circuit voltage between electrodes; the multi-electrode structure can improve the electron transfer rate and efficiently collect wave energy in all directions; and within the range of fixed sea conditions, there is an optimal annular size, which has the advantages of good electrical output performance and small size. The electrical output performance of the A-TENG can be greatly improved by optimizing the structural parameters. There are optimal wave parameters, such that the A-TENG can maximize the ocean wave energy conversion. This low-cost, long-life, efficient, and reliable energy harvesting system is ideal for powering ocean sensors.

Recent Advances in Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Marine Exploitation

“…In order to overcome this challenge, annular rolling ball TENG based on multi‐electrode structure was designed by Liu et al to harvest the ocean‐wave energy in multi‐direction ( Figure 10 a). [ 140,141 ] However, this design has the defects of the corresponding working direction and the low output performance of point contact. Therefore, Chen et al.…”

“…In order to overcome this challenge, annular rolling ball TENG based on multi-electrode structure was designed by Liu et al to harvest the oceanwave energy in multi-direction (Figure 10a). [140,141] However, this design has the defects of the corresponding working direction and the low output performance of point contact. Therefore, Chen et al realized multi-direction wave kinetic energy har-vesting in different directions by installing four units of TENG with large area contact around the whole device (Figure 10b).…”

Computational fluid dynamics-based PDMS-graphene triboelectric nanogenerator ‘PG-TENG’ blue energy harvester

“…The pre-defined physics interfaces were utilized, which combined piezoelectricity solid and electrostatics within the TENG devices. Additionally, an interface between multiphysics and the constitutive interrelations was required to simulate the TENG devices [48][49][50] accurately.…”

Robust Solid‐Liquid Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Mechanisms, Strategies and Applications

“…With the rapid development of economy and technology, the sustainable development of human society has an increasing energy demand. A large amount of renewable clean energy is stored in natural water in the form of droplets, [1][2][3][4] waves, [5][6][7][8][9][10] flows, [11][12][13][14] and others. [15][16][17][18] Considering that most of these energy sources have the characteristics of low frequency, wide distribution and irregularity, it is not easy to use traditional electromagnetic power generation equipment to collect and utilize them.…”