Theory of Tribotronics

As a potential next generation mechanical-to-electricity power generator, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has drawn considerable attention in recent years. Its mechanical-to-electrical signal control properties also gave rise to the original idea of “tribotronics”, which utilize triboelectric output to drive/control electronic devices. Using a TENG as input for gate voltage for a field effect transistor, a tribotronic device has potential application in mainly two areas (i) mechanically controlled electronics and (ii) motion/displacement sensing. An experimental study has already been recently reported and therefore a theoretical study is strongly desired as the theoretical basis and optimization strategy for designing such circuits. Here, both analytical calculations and numerical simulations are used to study the tribotronic device, both on the logic operation and on mechanical sensing. The static charge and inherent capacitance of TENG are determined by the structure design of the TENG and have strong coupling with the field effect transistor. Such coupling effect is taken into consideration, thus developing a methodology to effectively optimize the tribotronic device design according to such a coupling effect.