Sensor networks are essential for the development of the Internet of Things and the smart city. A general sensor, especially a mobile sensor, has to be driven by a power unit. When considering the high mobility, wide distribution and wireless operation of the sensors, their sustainable operation remains a critical challenge owing to the limited lifetime of an energy storage unit. In 2006, Wang proposed the concept of self-powered sensors/system, which harvests ambient energy to continuously drive a sensor without the use of an external power source. Based on the piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), extensive studies have focused on self-powered sensors. TENG and PENG, as effective mechanical-to-electricity energy conversion technologies, have been used not only as power sources but also as active sensing devices in many application fields, including physical sensors, wearable devices, biomedical and health care, human–machine interface, chemical and environmental monitoring, smart traffic, smart cities, robotics, and fiber and fabric sensors. In this review, we systematically summarize the progress made by TENG and PENG in those application fields. A perspective will be given about the future of self-powered sensors.
Triboelectric nanogenerators are devices that effectively convert ambient mechanical energy into electricity, which can be used as a power source or a sensor signal. Since first proposed by Dr. Zhong Lin Wang in 2012, the development of triboelectric nanogenerators has grown rapidly. Herein, the development of the triboelectric nanogenerator and its global impact is investigated by analyzing the statistical publication numbers and the geographic distribution of the publications. In addition, this article also features the main applications of triboelectric nanogenerators such as blue energy, self‐powered sensor/systems, and micro‐/nanoenergy, and points out its future outlook. Several challenges and fundamental physical questions are also discussed to provide a more comprehensive view of this revolutionary technology.
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