Networks of Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Harvesting Water Wave Energy: A Potential Approach toward Blue Energy

Abstract

With 70% of the earth's surface covered with water, wave energy is abundant and has the potential to be one of the most environmentally benign forms of electric energy. However, owing to lack of effective technology, water wave energy harvesting is almost unexplored as an energy source. Here, we report a network design made of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for large-scale harvesting of kinetic water energy. Relying on surface charging effect between the conventional polymers and very thin layer of metal as electrodes for each TENG, the TENG networks (TENG-NW) that naturally float on the water surface convert the slow, random, and high-force oscillatory wave energy into electricity. On the basis of the measured output of a single TENG, the TENG-NW is expected to give an average power output of 1.15 MW from 1 km(2) surface area. Given the compelling features, such as being lightweight, extremely cost-effective, environmentally friendly, easily implemented, and capable of floating on the water surface, the TENG-NW renders an innovative and effective approach toward large-scale blue energy harvesting from the ocean.

Catch wave power in floating nets

“…In theory, 1,000 devices spaced at 10-centimetre intervals in a cubic metre would power a lightbulb. A square kilometre could generate enough electricity for a town 5 . The world's energy consumption today could be met by covering an ocean area the size of the US state of Georgia with a 3D nanogenerator network of devices spaced every 10 centimetres and stretching 10 metres deep beneath the surface.…”

A nanowire based triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting water wave energy and its applications

“…Fortunately, the low-cost, chemical stable, lightweight, small-sized, and high efficient triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which can directly convert the mechanical energy in the environment to electric energy, can minimize the problem. [8][9][10][11][12] Herein we report a nanowire based TENG to collect the blue energy from ocean and its great potential for applications. First, the nanowire, which will largely add the roughness of surface and thus magnificently increase the contacting area of the FEP film and water, is fabricated by etching.…”

Formation and Characterization of Various ZnO/SiO2-Stacked Layers for Flexible Micro-Energy Harvesting Devices

“…With the recent rapid development of more advanced wireless sensors for the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable electronic devices, the demand for devices that can harvest various forms of ambient energy, such as mechanical vibration [1], acoustic waves [2], human biomechanical movement [3], water waves [4], environmental wind [5], solar radiance [6], and even waste heat [7] has become increasingly urgent. Among the various energy harvesting technologies recently developed, piezoelectric energy harvesting technology is expected to play an important role as a potential energy source to power numerous sensors and devices in the near future.…”