Triboelectric micromotors actuated by ultralow frequency mechanical stimuli

Abstract

A high-speed micromotor is usually actuated by a power source with high voltage and frequency. Here we report a triboelectric micromotor by coupling a micromotor and a triboelectric nanogenerator, in which the micromotor can be actuated by ultralow-frequency mechanical stimuli. The performances of the triboelectric micromotor are exhibited at various structural parameters of the micromotor, as well as at different mechanical stimuli of the triboelectric nanogenerator. With a sliding range of 50 mm at 0.1 Hz, the micromotor can start to rotate and reach over 1000 r min −1 at 0.8 Hz. The maximum operation efficiency of the triboelectric micromotor can reach 41%. Additionally, the micromotor is demonstrated in two scanning systems for information recognition. This work has realized a high-speed micromotor actuated by ultralow frequency mechanical stimuli without an external power supply, which has extended the application of triboelectric nanogenerator in micro/nano electromechanical systems, intelligent robots and autonomous driving.

Triboelectric nanogenerators: Fundamental physics and potential applications

“…The TENG only supplies a low current which is limited by the transferred charges in one cycle, greatly ensuring the safety of personnel and instruments. With the advantages of portability, controllability, safety, and high efficiency, TENGs based HV power sources have been utilized in environmental protection and electrostatic actuation [100][101][102][103]. Recently, Cheng et al [104] proposed the concept of triboelectric plasma by integrating TENG with a plasma source, where atmospheric-pressure plasma was directly driven by mechanical stimuli (Fig.…”

High-voltage applications of the triboelectric nanogenerator—Opportunities brought by the unique energy technology

“…Rotating motor, optical scanning: Reproduced with permission. 107 Copyright 2019, Springer Nature. Electroadhesive patch, electro-adhesion: Reproduced with permission.…”

“…the high-frequency rotations. 107 As shown in Fig. 14(a), the whole actuation system consists of an FT-TENG and an electrostatic-force-driven rotating motor.…”

Robust Triboelectric Nanogenerator Achieved by Centrifugal Force Induced Automatic Working Mode Transition

“…Compared with the traditional electromagnetic generator, TENG has an overwhelming dominance in the low‐frequency mechanical energy region, [ 22–26 ] but at high frequency, the heat generated by sliding friction cannot be released in time, and the corresponding mechanical abrasion will lead to a serious decline in the output performance of TENG. [ 27–31 ] For practical applications, FS‐TENG inevitably needs to operate at medium and even high‐frequency regions, especially in scavenging the mechanical energy of airflow, [ 32–34 ] water flow, [ 35 ] rotational tire [ 36 ] etc.…”