(Invited) Triboelectric Nanogenerators Harvesting (Bio)Mechanical Energy for Self-Powered Systems

Recently, there has been growing interest in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that can effectively convert various forms of mechanical energy input into electrical energy. In the present study, a novel Teflon/vitamin B1 powder based triboelectric nanogenerator (TVB-TENG) is proposed. Paper is utilized as a supporting platform for triboelectrification between a commercial Teflon tape and vitamin B1 powder. The measured open-circuit voltage was approximately 340 V. The TVB-TENG can be applied as a humidity sensor and exhibits a linear and reversible response to the relative humidity of the environment. Moreover, the change in relative humidity is also indicated by the change in luminosity of a set of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated in the TVB-TENG system. The TVB-TENG proposed in this study illustrates a cost-effective method for portable power supply and sensing devices.

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Progress on Self-Powered Wearable and Implantable Systems Driven by Nanogenerators

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12060666 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 666

Author(s):

Lanxin Yang ◽

Zhihao Ma ◽

Yun Tian ◽

Bo Meng ◽

Zhengchun Peng

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Energy ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Electronic Devices ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators ◽

The Internet Of Things ◽

Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

With the rapid development of the internet of things (IoT), sustainable self-powered wireless sensory systems and diverse wearable and implantable electronic devices have surged recently. Under such an opportunity, nanogenerators, which can convert continuous mechanical energy into usable electricity, have been regarded as one of the critical technologies for self-powered systems, based on the high sensitivity, flexibility, and biocompatibility of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). In this review, we have thoroughly analyzed the materials and structures of wearable and implantable PENGs and TENGs, aiming to make clear how to tailor a self-power system into specific applications. The advantages in TENG and PENG are taken to effectuate wearable and implantable human-oriented applications, such as self-charging power packages, physiological and kinematic monitoring, in vivo and in vitro healing, and electrical stimulation. This review comprehensively elucidates the recent advances and future outlook regarding the human body’s self-powered systems.

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Ultra-stretchable and healable hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/d1ra02010b ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (28) ◽

pp. 17437-17444

Author(s):

Guoxia Li ◽

Longwei Li ◽

Panpan Zhang ◽

Caiyun Chang ◽

Fan Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graphene Oxide ◽

Energy Harvesting ◽

Mechanical Energy ◽

Self Healing ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators ◽

Physical Crosslinking

An ultra-stretchable and self-healing hydrogel is developed with graphene oxide and Laponite as collaborative physical crosslinking points, which is utilized in triboelectric nanogenerators for mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered sensing.

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In Situ Sputtering Silver Induction Electrode for Stable and Stretchable Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12101267 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1267

Author(s):

Jinyuan Yao ◽

Qi Zhang ◽

Haodong Zhang ◽

Mengqiu Li ◽

Xichi Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Energy ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Discrete Energy ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Vacuum Degree ◽

Sputtering Power ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators ◽

Number Of Cycles

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) can convert mechanical energy into electricity and exhibit unique advantages in the field of low-frequency and discrete energy harvesting. However, the interfacial state and stability between the triboelectric layer and electrode layer influence the output and applications of TENG. Herein, an in situ sputtering Ag process for fabricating induction electrodes is proposed to match with TENG. The sputtering Ag process is optimized by a variety of parameters, such as sputtering power, single-cycle time, number of cycles, cycle interval, and vacuum degree. In addition, the chemical state of Ag as a function of air placement is investigated, showing the sputtered Ag has excellent conductivity and stability. Moreover, four kinds of polymers are selected for fabricating TENGs based on the sputtered Ag induction electrodes, i.e., nylon 66, polyimide (PI), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which shows great applicability. Considering the demand of flexible power suppliers, the sputtered Ag is integrated with a PDMS substrate, and shows good adhesion, flexibility, and ductility after severe deformation of the PDMS. Finally, the developed induction electrode processing technology is used in flexible TENG and shows great prospects in self-powered electronics for practical applications.

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Triboelectric Energy Harvesting Response of Different Polymer-Based Materials

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13214980 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (21) ◽

pp. 4980

Author(s):

Tiago Rodrigues-Marinho ◽

Nelson Castro ◽

Vitor Correia ◽

Pedro Costa ◽

Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez

Keyword(s):

Energy Harvesting ◽

Output Power ◽

Polyvinylidene Fluoride ◽

Light Emission ◽

Mechanical Energy ◽

Harvesting Systems ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators ◽

Vertical Contact ◽

The Internet Of Things

Energy harvesting systems for low-power devices are increasingly being a requirement within the context of the Internet of Things and, in particular, for self-powered sensors in remote or inaccessible locations. Triboelectric nanogenerators are a suitable approach for harvesting environmental mechanical energy otherwise wasted in nature. This work reports on the evaluation of the output power of different polymer and polymer composites, by using the triboelectric contact-separation systems (10 N of force followed by 5 cm of separation per cycle). Different materials were used as positive (Mica, polyamide (PA66) and styrene/ethylene-butadiene/styrene (SEBS)) and negative (polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP) and Kapton) charge materials. The obtained output power ranges from 0.2 to 5.9 mW, depending on the pair of materials, for an active area of 46.4 cm2. The highest response was obtained for Mica with PVDF composites with 30 wt.% of barium titanate (BT) and PA66 with PU pairs. A simple application has been developed based on vertical contact-separation mode, able to power up light emission diodes (LEDs) with around 30 cycles to charge a capacitor. Further, the capacitor can be charged in one triboelectric cycle if an area of 0.14 m2 is used.

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Single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerators based on sponge-like porous PTFE thin films for mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered electronics

Journal of Materials Chemistry A ◽

10.1039/c7ta02680c ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (24) ◽

pp. 12252-12257 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Meng Wang ◽

Nan Zhang ◽

Yingjie Tang ◽

Heng Zhang ◽

Chuan Ning ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Energy Harvesting ◽

Mechanical Energy ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerator ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators

A single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (S-TENG) based on sponge-like porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thin films was developed.

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Soft triboelectric nanogenerators for mechanical energy scavenging and self-powered sensors

Nano Energy ◽

10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.105919 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

pp. 105919

Author(s):

Yiding Song ◽

Nan Wang ◽

Chaosheng Hu ◽

Zhong Lin Wang ◽

Ya Yang

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Energy ◽

Energy Scavenging ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators

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Recent Progress in Self-Powered Sensors Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21217129 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (21) ◽

pp. 7129

Author(s):

Junpeng Wu ◽

Yang Zheng ◽

Xiaoyi Li

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Energy ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Displacement Current ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerator ◽

Energy Harvesters ◽

The Future ◽

Quantitative Analysis Method ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has subverted people’s lives, causing the rapid development of sensor technologies. However, traditional sensor energy sources, like batteries, suffer from the pollution problem and the limited lifetime for powering widely implemented electronics or sensors. Therefore, it is essential to obtain self-powered sensors integrated with renewable energy harvesters. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), which can convert the surrounding mechanical energy into electrical energy based on the surface triboelectrification effect, was born of this background. This paper systematically introduces the working principle of the TENG-based self-powered sensor, including the triboelectrification effect, Maxwell’s displacement current, and quantitative analysis method. Meanwhile, this paper also reviews the recent application of TENG in different fields and summarizes the future development and current problems of TENG. We believe that there will be a rise of TENG-based self-powered sensors in the future.

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Structural and Chemical Modifications Towards High-Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Nanoscale Research Letters ◽

10.1186/s11671-021-03578-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yerzhan Nurmakanov ◽

Gulnur Kalimuldina ◽

Galymzhan Nauryzbayev ◽

Desmond Adair ◽

Zhumabay Bakenov

Keyword(s):

Energy Harvesting ◽

Output Power ◽

High Performance ◽

Performance Enhancement ◽

Material Selection ◽

Mechanical Energy ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Self Powered ◽

Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract Harvesting abundant mechanical energy has been considered one of the promising technologies for developing autonomous self-powered active sensors, power units, and Internet-of-Things devices. Among various energy harvesting technologies, the triboelectric harvesters based on contact electrification have recently attracted much attention because of their advantages such as high performance, light weight, and simple design. Since the first triboelectric energy-harvesting device was reported, the continuous investigations for improving the output power have been carried out. This review article covers various methods proposed for the performance enhancement of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), such as a triboelectric material selection, surface modification through the introduction of micro-/nano-patterns, and surface chemical functionalization, injecting charges, and their trapping. The main purpose of this work is to highlight and summarize recent advancements towards enhancing the TENG technology performance through implementing different approaches along with their potential applications. Graphic Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive review of the TENG technology and its factors affecting the output power as material selection, surface physical and chemical modification, charge injection, and trapping techniques.

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