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/m(2) 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.

[1]  Sihong Wang,et al.  Freestanding Triboelectric‐Layer‐Based Nanogenerators for Harvesting Energy from a Moving Object or Human Motion in Contact and Non‐contact Modes , 2014, Advanced materials.

[2]  Long Lin,et al.  Theory of Sliding‐Mode Triboelectric Nanogenerators , 2013, Advanced materials.

[3]  Zhong Lin Wang.  Triboelectric nanogenerators as new energy technology for self-powered systems and as active mechanical and chemical sensors. , 2013, ACS nano.

[4]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Triboelectric active sensor array for self-powered static and dynamic pressure detection and tactile imaging. , 2013, ACS nano.

[5]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Single-electrode-based sliding triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered displacement vector sensor system. , 2013, ACS nano.

[6]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Segmentally structured disk triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting rotational mechanical energy. , 2013, Nano letters.

[7]  Jun Chen,et al.  A self-powered triboelectric nanosensor for mercury ion detection. , 2013, Angewandte Chemie.

[8]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Sliding-triboelectric nanogenerators based on in-plane charge-separation mechanism. , 2013, Nano letters.

[9]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  An elastic-spring-substrated nanogenerator as an active sensor for self-powered balance , 2013 .

[10]  Long Lin,et al.  Nanoscale triboelectric-effect-enabled energy conversion for sustainably powering portable electronics. , 2012, Nano letters.

[11]  Caofeng Pan,et al.  Triboelectric-generator-driven pulse electrodeposition for micropatterning. , 2012, Nano letters.

[12]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Transparent triboelectric nanogenerators and self-powered pressure sensors based on micropatterned plastic films. , 2012, Nano letters.

[13]  Sadegh Vaez-Zadeh,et al.  Sustainable development based energy policy making frameworks, a critical review , 2012 .

[14]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Flexible triboelectric generator , 2012 .

[15]  Long Lina,et al.  Transparent flexible nanogenerator as self-powered sensor for transportation monitoring , 2012 .

[16]  Xi Chen,et al.  1.6 V nanogenerator for mechanical energy harvesting using PZT nanofibers. , 2010, Nano letters.

[17]  Liwei Lin,et al.  Direct-write piezoelectric polymeric nanogenerator with high energy conversion efficiency. , 2010, Nano letters.

[18]  Y. Naruse,et al.  Electrostatic micro power generation from low-frequency vibration such as human motion , 2009 .

[19]  Wenzhuo Wu,et al.  Controlled Growth of Aligned Polymer Nanowires , 2009 .

[20]  Timothy C. Green,et al.  Energy Harvesting From Human and Machine Motion for Wireless Electronic Devices , 2008, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[21]  L. McCarty,et al.  Electrostatic charging due to separation of ions at interfaces: contact electrification of ionic electrets. , 2008, Angewandte Chemie.

[22]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Self-powered nanotech. , 2008, Scientific American.

[23]  Saibal Roy,et al.  A micro electromagnetic generator for vibration energy harvesting , 2007 .

[24]  Lin Wang,et al.  Nanosize machines need still tinier power plants Nanotech , 2007 .

[25]  Zhong Lin Wang,et al.  Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Based on Zinc Oxide Nanowire Arrays , 2006, Science.

[26]  A. Diaz,et al.  A semi-quantitative tribo-electric series for polymeric materials: the influence of chemical structure and properties , 2004 .

[27]  Bernard H. Stark,et al.  MEMS electrostatic micropower generator for low frequency operation , 2004 .

[28]  Bartosz A Grzybowski,et al.  A tool for studying contact electrification in systems comprising metals and insulating polymers. , 2003, Analytical chemistry.

[29]  M. Dresselhaus,et al.  Alternative energy technologies , 2001, Nature.

[30]  Neil M. White,et al.  Design and fabrication of a new vibration-based electromechanical power generator , 2001 .

[31]  G. Whitesides,et al.  Submicrometer Patterning of Charge in Thin-Film Electrets , 2001, Science.

[32]  M. Grätzel.  Photoelectrochemical cells : Materials for clean energy , 2001 .

[33]  Michael Grätzel,et al.  Photoelectrochemical cells , 2001, Nature.

[34]  T. S. Birch,et al.  Development of an electromagnetic micro-generator , 1997 .

[35]  M. Grätzel,et al.  A low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO2 films , 1991, Nature.

[36]  S. Lele.  Sustainable development: A critical review , 1991 .