Simulation and Modelling of Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-powered Electronic Devices

Abstract

Triboelectric Nanogenerators has revolutionised the area of energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. In recent years, variety of small scale applications of triboelectric nanogenerators have been explored extensively particularly in self powered electronics, wearable and implantable devices, self-powered biosensors, human motion monitoring, location evaluation, air quality control etc. This paper discusses simulation and modelling of contact separation mode based triboelectric nanogenerator. In this work, triboelectric nanogenerators are simulated in COMSOL to compare the voltage profile of three different triboelectric materials – Kapton, Teflon and RTV Silicone with respect to Aluminium. Also, the effect of thickness of triboelectric layer on voltage profile is studied to optimize the thickness of the films. The output voltage recorded is 75 V, 60 V and 59 V for RTV Silicone, Teflon and Kapton respectively. It was observed that with increase in thickness of triboelectric layer, output voltage first increases linearly and then starts decreasing. The future research is directed towards fabricating a robust device for realising self – powered electronic devices.

Unique Contact Point Modification Technique for Boosting the Performance of a Triboelectric Nanogenerator and Its Application in Road Safety Sensing and Detection

“…In this study, we further simulate the TENG output performance in the COMSOL simulation to compare the voltage profile of the plane OHP sheet-based TENG with the surface-modified OHP sheet-based TENG. Mathematical modeling of a typical TENG was performed consisting of two electrodes with two dielectric materials: one was ZnS and another one was PET (OHP) . Integrating the positive half-cycle of the short-circuit current, the charge quantity transferred for each pulse was calculated as shown in Figure S18 in the SI and further used as a total surface charge density; since the separation distance is much greater than the thickness of the materials, the total charge transferred is equal to the total triboelectric charge.…”

“…The TENG exhibits capacitive behavior, with the output voltage fluctuating proportionally to the plate spacing. TENG’s output voltage is inversely proportional to the capacitance while being directly proportional to the distance between plates. , Figure S19a–c in the SI depicts the structure of a typical TENG with two dielectric (triboelectric) layers and two metal electrodes, where the distance “ D ” represents the distance between the two triboelectric layers, its potential difference, and its output voltage with distance. Figure S19d–f in the SI depicts the structure of a TENG with the surface-patterned dielectric layer, its potential difference, and its output voltage with increasing distance in COMSOL.…”

“…Mathematical modeling of a typical TENG was performed consisting of two electrodes with two dielectric materials: one was ZnS and another one was PET (OHP). 51 Integrating the positive halfcycle of the short-circuit current, the charge quantity transferred for each pulse was calculated as shown in Figure S18 in the SI and further used as a total surface charge density; since the separation distance is much greater than the thickness of the materials, the total charge transferred is equal to the total triboelectric charge. The TENG exhibits capacitive behavior, with the output voltage fluctuating proportionally to the plate spacing.…”

Effective Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Blood Pressure Measurement Based on Wrist Pulse Signal Using Comsol Multiphysics Software

“…Then, the variations on output voltage concerning change thickness of the triboelectric material are also done. 12 Mathew and Vivekanandan in 2022 designed a 2D model of single electrode mode TENG (SE-TENG) to harvest the wrist pulse single and optimize the suitable thickness and area of the SE-TENG. Also concluded was the surface morphology to obtain the maximum output voltage of the designed SE-TENG.…”

“…Several TENGs are modeled and simulated in COMSOL multiphysics software as follows: Mainra et al in 2022 modeled and simulated the three different TENGs with different triboelectric materials, and their output voltages were distinguished. Then, the variations on output voltage concerning change thickness of the triboelectric material are also done . Mathew and Vivekanandan in 2022 designed a 2D model of single electrode mode TENG (SE-TENG) to harvest the wrist pulse single and optimize the suitable thickness and area of the SE-TENG.…”