Long‐Lasting and Steady Triboelectric Energy Harvesting from Low‐Frequency Irregular Motions Using Escapement Mechanism

Abstract

Most mechanical energy harvesters produce only small amounts of electrical power from extremely low‐frequency input motions and immediately stop generating electricity when mechanical kinetic energy is exhausted. Here, a steady, long‐lasting and power‐boosted triboelectric nanogenerator is reported that can efficiently harvest from extremely low‐frequency irregular motions of less than 0.1 Hz by utilizing an escapement mechanism and frequency up‐conversion device. The escapement mechanism‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (EM‐TENG) consists of a mechanical energy storage spring, escapement mechanism and a torsional resonator for regular operation and frequency up‐conversion. In addition, the micro‐patterned alternating dielectric surfaces of Nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the comb‐type rotator significantly improve the output performance of the rotational EM‐TENG, increasing the current density level approximately 4.2 times compared to flat surfaces. Under an input frequency of 0.067 Hz, the EM‐TENG produces an open circuit voltage of 320 V and a short‐circuit current density of 0.59 mA m‐2. Most importantly, the EM‐TENG can produce long‐lasting and steady output power for 110 s (22 times) under only 5 s of input motion. Therefore, the EM‐TENG might pave the way to effectively harvest energy from extremely low‐frequency motions in nature, such as human motion, structural vibration and ocean waves.

Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Self‐Powered Wound Healing

“…The emerging fiber batteries may contribute to this part due to their high safety, lightweight, low cost, and stable capacity output under various severe environments. [ 61,141,142 ] With reliable miniaturized long‐time durable devices, reusable wound healing systems can be developed in large quantities for long‐term operations and emergency first aid in various severe environments, [ 143–145 ] such as earthquakes and bushfires. 2) Working Preciseness : The variability among different people would require more sophisticated and power‐consuming control circuits to realize the accurate electrical stimulation. [ 146–148 ] Developing those circuits and improving the energy conversion efficiency of portable TENGs are possible future directions.…”

Collectively Exhaustive Hybrid Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Flow‐Induced Impacting‐Sliding Cylinder for Ocean Energy Harvesting

“…Furthermore, the FIC‐TENG utilizes the FS mode TENG (FS‐TENG) which can generate electrical energy of relatively higher frequency by using interdigitated electrodes compared with the frequency of input mechanical oscillation, and a high current density due to the frequency upconversion effect. [ 21 ] Moreover, using a nanopatterned Si stamp, the CS mode TENG (CS‐TENG) greatly improves TENG output power by introducing a nanopattern on the surface of UV curable polymers. [ 22 ] The structure of the collectively exhaustive FIC‐TENG in the ocean is schematically illustrated in Figure 1b.…”

Surface patterning of GO‐ S / PLA nanocomposite with the assistance of an ionic surfactant for high‐performance triboelectric nanogenerator

“…1,2 To minimize the use of conventional batteries that considerably harm the environment, a variety of methods such as piezoelectric, electromagnetic, magnetostrictive, thermoelectric or water evaporation-induced electric generators have been proposed. [3][4][5] Standing out from them, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which convert mechanical energy such as wind, human movements, ocean waves, etc. to electricity through a mechanism of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, are paying much attention thanks to its straightforward fabricating process, considerable flexibility, variety of usable materials, and high durability.…”

“…to electricity through a mechanism of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, are paying much attention thanks to its straightforward fabricating process, considerable flexibility, variety of usable materials, and high durability. 1,3 Therefrom, TENGs have been widely applied in health care to make electrical stimulation, to generate output signals for human health monitoring, and to supply power supply to health care devices by itself. 6 Focusing on self-powered TENGs applied in health care devices, it is of necessity to require biocompatible or bioabsorbable properties to be used practically.…”