Corrugated Textile based Triboelectric Generator for Wearable Energy Harvesting

Abstract

Triboelectric energy harvesting has been applied to various fields, from large-scale power generation to small electronics. Triboelectric energy is generated when certain materials come into frictional contact, e.g., static electricity from rubbing a shoe on a carpet. In particular, textile-based triboelectric energy-harvesting technologies are one of the most promising approaches because they are not only flexible, light, and comfortable but also wearable. Most previous textile-based triboelectric generators (TEGs) generate energy by vertically pressing and rubbing something. However, we propose a corrugated textile-based triboelectric generator (CT-TEG) that can generate energy by stretching. Moreover, the CT-TEG is sewn into a corrugated structure that contains an effective air gap without additional spacers. The resulting CT-TEG can generate considerable energy from various deformations, not only by pressing and rubbing but also by stretching. The maximum output performances of the CT-TEG can reach up to 28.13 V and 2.71 μA with stretching and releasing motions. Additionally, we demonstrate the generation of sufficient energy from various activities of a human body to power about 54 LEDs. These results demonstrate the potential application of CT-TEGs for self-powered systems.

Recent progress on textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators

“…A good example of T-TENG, which can operate in a lateral stretching and release mode was reported by Choi et al They designed a T-TENG with a corrugated structure, shown in Fig. 11(a) [99]. The top layer was produced by backstitching silk with a woven conductive fabric (Sn/Cu/Ag-plated nylon).…”

“…In the case of fabric-based T-TENGs, thin layers of flexible materials can be used to realize the TENG without affecting the mechanical properties of the textile [111]. Thanks to the nature of textile structures, most T-TENGs are therefore inherently flexible and some of them are stretchable [41,81,99]. One challenge of T-TENGs is that their appearance is often not aesthetically pleasing since the applied coatings will alter the appearance of the fabric.…”

Fiber‐Type Solar Cells, Nanogenerators, Batteries, and Supercapacitors for Wearable Applications

“…Wearable smart textiles incorporate electroactive materials (EAMs) that allow the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy and vice versa 26. The motion of the body can serve as the mechanical energy required for the energy conversion.…”

“…A considerable volume of papers has been published since its inception in 2012 26, 29, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99. Recently, fiber type TENGs have been reported with flexible, soft, breathable, and wearable characteristics suitable for energy generation and integration into textiles 26, 100, 101…”

“…Corrugated structures that can be easily stretched are desirable. A corrugated textile using TENG could not only generate energy by pressing and rubbing, but also by stretching actions 26. The corrugated structure has the advantage of providing the required air gaps without the use of extra spacers, and it delivers a peak voltage of 28.13 V and 2.71 µA by simple “stretch and release” actions.…”