Self-Powered Sensor for Quantifying Ocean Surface Water Waves Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

An ocean wave contains various marine information, but it is generally difficult to obtain the high-precision quantification to meet the needs of ocean development and utilization. Here, we report a self-powered and high-performance triboelectric ocean-wave spectrum sensor (TOSS) fabricated using a tubular triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and hollow ball buoy, which not only can adapt to the measurement of ocean surface water waves in any direction but also can eliminate the influence of seawater on the performance of the sensor. Based on the high-sensitivity advantage of TENG, an ultrahigh sensitivity of 2530 mV mm–1 (which is 100 times higher than that of previous work) and a minimal monitoring error of 0.1% are achieved in monitoring wave height and wave period, respectively. Importantly, six basic ocean-wave parameters (wave height, wave period, wave frequency, wave velocity, wavelength, and wave steepness), wave velocity spectrum, and mechanical energy spectrum have been derived by the electrical signals of TOSS. Our finding not only can provide ocean-wave parameters but also can offer significant and accurate data support for cloud computing of ocean big data.

Solar‐Driven Interfacial Evaporation and Self‐Powered Water Wave Detection Based on an All‐Cellulose Monolithic Design

“…So far, TENG is proposed as one of the most promising technologies for ocean‐wave spectrum detection and blue energy harvest. [ 14,23 ] In this study, a thin, lightweight, and flexible TENG was fabricated and properly wrapped around the external surface of SG2. Figure a illustrates the device structure and digital photo of the integrated systems (SG2 and TENG).…”

“…[ 8a,13 ] Therefore, detecting the oscillatory motions of surface water (height, frequency, wavelength, period, velocity, and so on) would be another desired function for the future design, exhibiting great potential in early warning systems and wave energy harvesting. [ 14 ] To the best of our knowledge, such a proof of concept has not been reported yet.…”

Recent progresses on paper‐based triboelectric nanogenerator for portable self‐powered sensing systems

“…Self‐powered sensors are also developing rapidly in physical quantity monitoring, including the detection of water level, velocity, heart rate, humidity, vibration, and wind speed. A self‐powered sensor for quantifying ocean surface waves presented recently by Zhang et al In this work, this sensor can realize ocean spectrum monitoring in any direction, and its sensitivity reaches 2530 mV mm −1 , which is 100 times higher than that of the previous work 87 . The reason why the precision of sensors based on TENG have such high precision is that electric field intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, hence a small deformation can also produce an effective electrical signal.…”

“…A self-powered sensor for quantifying ocean surface waves presented recently by Zhang et al In this work, this sensor can realize ocean spectrum monitoring in any direction, and its sensitivity reaches 2530 mV mm −1 , which is 100 times higher than that of the previous work. 87 The reason why the precision of sensors based on TENG have such high precision is that electric field intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, hence a small deformation can also produce an effective electrical signal. Recently, Sadri et al from Purdue University create a moisture-insensitive, self-powered, paper-based flexible electronics by spraying polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), conductive nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs), ethyl cellulose (EC), and fluorinated silane (C 12 F) in turn.…”

Progress on the nanoscale spherical TiO2 photocatalysts: Mechanisms, synthesis and degradation applications

“…Photoelectric catalysis is a strategy with great development prospects. Especially since the Wang team invented the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) in 2012, [ 246–248 ] the combination of photocatalysis and TENG is one of the research hotspots. [ 249 ]…”