Theory of triboelectric nanogenerators for self-powered systems

Energy science is becoming an increasingly important multi-disciplinary area, for not only addressing the worldwide energy crisis, but also realizing desired power sources with advanced features for portable electronic devices and sensor networks. Very recently, based on triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction, a fundamentally new technology, triboelectric nanogenerator, has been demonstrated which shows unique merits. But so far, the main limitation for continuing optimizing their output performance is a lack of fundamental understanding of their core working mechanism. In this thesis research, we first unveil the fundamental theory and output characteristics of triboelectric nanogenerators. Then, we apply the developed theory to the TENG-based self-powered system design. We have developed the first genuine self-powered system to meet mW requirement of personal electronics. The system includes a multilayered TENG, a power management circuit with 60% total efficiency, and a low leakage energy storage device. Our power management circuit provides the total efficiency that is about two magnitudes higher than the traditional direct charging. And the total system performance is 330 times higher than the state-of-art designs. Driven by palm tapping, this power unit can provide a continuous DC electricity of 1.044 mW on average power in a regulated and managed manner that can be universally applied as a standard power source for continuously driving numerous conventional electronics, such as a thermometer, a heart rate monitor (electrocardiograph/ECG system), a pedometer, a wearable electronic watch, a scientific calculator, and a wireless radio-frequency communication system. Our study demonstrates the first power unit that utilizes widely accessible biomechanical energy source to sustainably drive a broad range of commercial mobile and wearable electronic devices. This self-charging unit is a paradigm shift towards infinite-lifetime energy sources that can never be achieved solely by batteries.Ph.D

Hybridizing Triboelectrification and Electromagnetic Induction Effects for High-Efficient Mechanical Energy Harvesting

The recently introduced triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and the traditional electromagnetic induction generator (EMIG) are coherently integrated in one structure for energy harvesting and vibration sensing/isolation. The suspended structure is based on two oppositely oriented magnets that are enclosed by hollow cubes surrounded with coils, which oscillates in response to external disturbance and harvests mechanical energy simultaneously from triboelectrification and electromagnetic induction. It extends the previous definition of hybrid cell to harvest the same type of energy with multiple approaches. Both the sliding-mode TENG and contact-mode TENG can be achieved in the same structure. In order to make the TENG and EMIG work together, transformers are used to match the output impedance between these two power sources with very different characteristics. The maximum output power of 7.7 and 1.9 mW on the same load of 5 kΩ was obtained for the TENG and EMIG, respectively, after impedance matching. Benefiting from the rational design, the output signal from the TENG and the EMIG are in phase. They can be added up directly to get an output voltage of 4.6 V and an output current of 2.2 mA in parallel connection. A power management circuit was connected to the hybrid cell, and a regulated voltage of 3.3 V with constant current was achieved. For the first time, a logic operation was carried out on a half-adder circuit by using the hybrid cell working as both the power source and the input digit signals. We also demonstrated that the hybrid cell can serve as a vibration isolator. Further applications as vibration dampers, triggers, and sensors are all promising

Quantitative Measurements of Vibration Amplitude Using a Contact-Mode Freestanding Triboelectric Nanogenerator

A vibration sensor is usually designed to measure the vibration frequency but disregard the vibration amplitude, which is rather challenging to be quantified due to the requirement of linear response. Here, we show the application of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as a self-powered tool for quantitative measurement of vibration amplitude based on an operation mode, the contact-mode freestanding triboelectric nanogenerator (CF-TENG). In this mode, the triboelectrically charged resonator can be agitated to vibrate between two stacked stationary electrodes. Under the working principle with a constant capacitance between two electrodes, the amplitudes of the electric signals are proportional to the vibration amplitude of the resonator (provided that the resonator plate is charged to saturation), which has been illuminated both theoretically and experimentally. Together with its capability in monitoring the vibration frequency, the CF-TENG appears as the triboelectrification-based active sensor that can give full quantitative information about a vibration. In addition, the CF-TENG is also demonstrated as a power source for electronic devices

Triboelectric Nanogenerator Built on Suspended 3D Spiral Structure as Vibration and Positioning Sensor and Wave Energy Harvester

An unstable mechanical structure that can self-balance when perturbed is a superior choice for vibration energy harvesting and vibration detection. In this work, a suspended 3D spiral structure is integrated with a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) for energy harvesting and sensor applications. The newly designed vertical contact–separation mode TENG has a wide working bandwidth of 30 Hz in low-frequency range with a maximum output power density of 2.76 W/m² on a load of 6 MΩ. The position of an in-plane vibration source was identified by placing TENGs at multiple positions as multichannel, self-powered active sensors, and the location of the vibration source was determined with an error less than 6%. The magnitude of the vibration is also measured by the output voltage and current signal of the TENG. By integrating the TENG inside a buoy ball, wave energy harvesting at water surface has been demonstrated and used for lighting illumination light, which shows great potential applications in marine science and environmental/infrastructure monitoring

Noncontact Free-Rotating Disk Triboelectric Nanogenerator as a Sustainable Energy Harvester and Self-Powered Mechanical Sensor

In this work, we introduced an innovative noncontact, free-rotating disk triboelectric nanogenerator (FRD-TENG) for sustainably scavenging the mechanical energy from rotary motions. Its working principle was clarified through numerical calculations of the relative-rotation-induced potential difference, which serves as the driving force for the electricity generation. The unique characteristic of the FRD-TENG enables its high output performance compared to its working at the contact mode, with an effective output power density of 1.22 W/m² for continuously driving 100 light-emitting diodes. Ultrahigh stability of the output and exceptional durability of the device structure were achieved, and the reliable output was utilized for fast/effective charging of a lithium ion battery. Based on the relationship between its output performance and the parameters of the mechanical stimuli, the FRD-TENG could be employed as a self-powered mechanical sensor, for simultaneously detecting the vertical displacement and rotation speed. The FRD-TENG has superior advantages over the existing disk triboelectric nanogenerator, and exhibits significant progress toward practical applications of nanogenerators for both energy harvesting and self-powered sensor networks

Robust Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Rolling Electrification and Electrostatic Induction at an Instantaneous Energy Conversion Efficiency of ∼55%

In comparison to in-pane sliding friction, rolling friction not only is likely to consume less mechanical energy but also presents high robustness with minimized wearing of materials. In this work, we introduce a highly efficient approach for harvesting mechanical energy based on rolling electrification and electrostatic induction, aiming at improving the energy conversion efficiency and device durability. The rolling triboelectric nanogenerator is composed of multiple steel rods sandwiched by two fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) thin films. The rolling motion of the steel rods between the FEP thin films introduces triboelectric charges on both surfaces and leads to the change of potential difference between each pair of electrodes on back of the FEP layer, which drives the electrons to flow in the external load. As power generators, each pair of output terminals works independently and delivers an open-circuit voltage of 425 V, and a short-circuit current density of 5 mA/m². The two output terminals can also be integrated to achieve an overall power density of up to 1.6 W/m². The impacts of variable structural factors were investigated for optimization of the output performance, and other prototypes based on rolling balls were developed to accommodate different types of mechanical energy sources. Owing to the low frictional coefficient of the rolling motion, an instantaneous energy conversion efficiency of up to 55% was demonstrated and the high durability of the device was confirmed. This work presents a substantial advancement of the triboelectric nanogenerators toward large-scope energy harvesting and self-powered systems

Electric Eel-Skin-Inspired Mechanically Durable and Super-Stretchable Nanogenerator for Deformable Power Source and Fully Autonomous Conformable Electronic-Skin Applications

Electric eel-skin-inspired mechanically durable and super-stretchable nanogenerator is demonstrated for the first time by using triboelectric effect. This newly designed nanogenerator can produce electricity by touch or tapping despite under various extreme mechanical deformations or even after experiencing damage. This device can be used not only as deformable and wearable power source but also as fully autonomous and self-sufficient adaptive electronic skin system

Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on a Hybridized Mechanism for Harvesting Wind Energy

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences [DEFG02- 07ER46394]; NSF; Chinese Academy of Sciences [KJCX2-YW-M13]; Chinese Scholars CouncilHarvesting mechanical energy is becoming increasingly important for its availability and abundance in our living environment. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient approach for generating electricity from mechanical energies in a wide range of forms. Here, we developed a TENG designed for harvesting tiny-scale wind energy available in our normal living environment using conventional materials. The energy harvester is based on a rotary driven mechanical deformation of multiple plate-based TENGs. The operation mechanism is a hybridization of the contact-sliding-separation-contact processes by using the triboelectrification and electrostatic induction effects. With the introduction of polymer nanowires on surfaces, the rotary TENG delivers an open-circuit voltage of 250 V and a short-circuit current of 0.25 mA, corresponding to a maximum power density of similar to 39 W/m(2) at a wind speed of similar to 15 m/s, which is capable of directly driving hundreds of electronic devices such as commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or rapidly charging capacitors. The rotary TENG was also applied as a self-powered sensor for measuring wind speed. This work represents a significant progress in the practical application of the TENG and its great potential in the future wind power technology. This technology can also be extended for harvesting energy from ocean current, making nanotechnology reaching our daily life a possibility in the near future