A highly sensitive magnetic configuration‐based triboelectric nanogenerator for multidirectional vibration energy harvesting and self‐powered environmental monitoring

Abstract

Vibration energy, which is ubiquitous but usually abandoned energy, has been considered as a promising source of energy to be harvested for future power supply to electronics. In this study, we demonstrate the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a rationally designed bi-axial vibration responsive magnetic configuration (BVMC). Oblique placement of two magnets enables the system to be bi-axially sensitive and the superior response of such BVMC to vibrations is explored for further utilized to harvest multidirectional vibration energy in a single device. Energy harvesting performance of the multidirectional vibration stimuli-responsive TENG, called MS-TENG, under various vibration conditions is investigated. In addition, the further development of the MS-TENG with an additional magnet exhibits the full (threedimensional) vibration energy harvesting ability. The MS-TENG is applied under-the-hood of an automobile where typically abandoned vibrations occur frequently. Turning on the engine on the ignition enables the arrayed MS-TENG to generate a stable output just by engine trembling. Furthermore, the normal human motion-driven vibration is used to charge the commercial capacitor to wirelessly transmit the signal including information of ambient temperature and humidity from the Bluetooth thermo-hygrometer sensor. Consequently, the present TENG with simple but bi-axially sensitive magnetic configuration has a great potential to effectively harvest the multidirectional and low-frequency vibrations around us for future feasible applications.

Recent Advances in Triboelectric Nanogenerators: From Technological Progress to Commercial Applications

“…Hence, energy harvesting technologies are significantly getting worldwide attention for their characteristic ability to harvest mechanical energy from the environment as the sustainable energy sources, such as ocean, wind, and vibration energy in the ambient. Given that, the mechanical TENG system considering input mechanical characteristics should be designed to achieve its desired output performance. − First, linear motion, one of the various mechanical movements in the environment, is inappropriate in the point of view of having to produce a large amount of energy output due to the low output frequency. Therefore, to effectively harvest mechanical energy from the linear movements in the fields of mechanical TENG systems, the above problem can be solved by using a mechanical component such as a gear-train.…”

Self‐Healable Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Marriage between Self‐Healing Polymer Chemistry and Triboelectric Devices

“…d. Self-powered vibration sensor with self-healing: Vibration is a unique mechanical motion, especially TENGs can convert irregular low-frequency mechanical energy into electrical signals, which can be used to harvest vibration energy and detect the amplitude, frequency, and location of the vibration source. [204][205][206] Kim et al [195] designed a self-powered tremor sensor for monitoring the health status of patients with Parkinson's disease (Figure 20D). The tremor sensor mounted on the wrist of a Parkinson's disease patient could generate an electric signal according to the degree of tremor, including normal, mild, and severe tremor, and respond sensitively to low-frequency vibrations.…”

Elastic and Skin-Contact Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Their Applicability in Energy Harvesting and Tactile Sensing

“…Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) based on contact-induced electrification have garnered increasing attention, as they can be used to harvest energy for various applications, including human–machine interfaces , and mechanical triggering, , as well as for sensing and harvesting energy from vibrations, , wind, , flowing water, , and rolling/turning motions. , The concept of TENGs was introduced by Wang et al in 2012 . Over the past few years, various kinds of material structures and mechanisms have been developed and explored to build TENG devices to harvest energy from mechanical movement. , Yang et al developed a vertical contact–separation mode triboelectric nanogenerator with a micro-grooved surface .…”