Triboelectric–Thermoelectric Hybrid Nanogenerator for Harvesting Energy from Ambient Environments

Abstract

with different converting mechanism have been reported, such as electromagnetic generators, [4,5] piezoelectric generators, [6][7][8] electrostatic generators, [9][10][11] and triboelectric nanogenerators. [12][13][14] Triboelectric nanogenerators have shown advantages of a low fabrication cost, high output voltage, and high energy conversion efficiency. However, heat energy is produced and wasted during the triboelectric energy generation process, which limits the output of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG). [15] On the one hand, noncontact approaches have been used to minimize the energy loss of TENG. On the other hand, it is possible to scavenge the lost energy to improve the output performance of TENG. [16,17] Although pyroelectric nanogenerators harvesting thermal energy from the friction-induced temperature fluctuation have been reported, different thermal harvesting efforts are still needed to enhance the total efficiency of the generators that integrates the energy harvesters and the energy storage devices. [18][19][20] Here, we present triboelectric-thermoelectric hybrid nanogenerator (TTENG), which can harvest mechanical and thermal energy. The TTENG is composed of a 2D rotary TENG Recently developed triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) with advantages of a low fabrication cost, high output voltage, and high energy conversionefficiency have shown potential applications in harvesting ambient environment energy. However, the heat energy produced and wasted during the triboelectric energy generation process limits the output of TENG. One approach is to design TENG based on a noncontact mode to minimize the energy loss. The other approach is to scavenge the lost energy with a supplementary nanogenerator. In this work, triboelectric-thermoelectric hybrid nanogenerator (TTENG) is fabricated to harvest the energy from ambient environment and the thermal energy from the temperature difference induced by r-TENG friction. At a rotation rate of 500 rpm, r-TENG can produce a constant open-circuit voltage (V oc ) of 200 V and a short-circuit current (I sc ) of 0.06 mA. The thermoelectric nanogenerator (TMENG) with a size of 16 cm 2 can produce a V oc of 0.2 V and an I sc of 20 mA. The experimental results show that the TTENG is a promising method to harvest the ambient mechanical energy. Hybrid NanogeneratorThe ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.

An Ultra-Durable Windmill-Like Hybrid Nanogenerator for Steady and Efficient Harvesting of Low-Speed Wind Energy

“…In recent years, the emerging triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on coupling triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction [19][20][21][22] is considered as a promising mechanical energy scavenging and conversion technology. Benefiting from advantages of lightweight, materials variety, easy fabrication, and cost-effectiveness, TENG has been proven to be one of the most efficient ways for harvesting low-frequency mechanical energies such as human movements, wind energy, wave energy, and so on [23][24][25][26]. TENG will undoubtedly provide a new power supply manner for intelligent, wearable, and implantable electronic products.…”

Flexible/Stretchable Supercapacitors with Novel Functionality for Wearable Electronics

“…[ 218,219 ] For instance, Wu et al combined a triboelectric nanogenerator with a thermoelectric generator to utilize the heat energy produced and wasted during triboelectric generation of energy. [ 220 ] These studies demonstrate the possibility of simultaneously applying various nanogenerating mechanisms in wearable electronics to charge energy storage devices or operate active devices. If these hybridized energy harvesting strategies were to be implemented on self‐charging supercapacitors, the charging efficiency would be higher without any waste of excess energy.…”

Fiber‐Based Energy Conversion Devices for Human‐Body Energy Harvesting

“…Recently, other fiber‐based energy conversion devices, such as fiber‐based solar cells and biofuel cells, have also been developed to harvest environmental energy . Combining these different devices into one fiber or into textiles to gather various energy in or around the human body and carrying out both high output voltage and current could be an important step toward next‐generation wearable electronics . Pan et al reported a hybrid nanogenerator consisting of FPENG and a fiber‐based biofuel cell (FBFC), which was designed into the carbon fiber.…”