Mingyuan Ma

Service Behavior of Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) or TENG-based self-charging systems harvesting energy from ambient environment are promising power solution for electronics. The stable running remains a key consideration in view of potential complex application environment. In this work, a textile-based tailorable multifunctional TENG (T-TENG) is developed. The T-TENG is used as self-powered human body motion sensor, water energy harvester, and formed all textile-based flexible self-charging system by integrating with textile-based supercapacitors. The service behavior and the mechanism of performance retention are also studied when the T-TENG is damaged. As a self-powered human body motion sensor, the T-TENG maintains the stable properties when it is cut. As a water energy harvester, the T-TENG is capable of scavenging mechanical energy from water efficiently even if it is damaged partly. Besides, the charge properties of the self-charging system are systematically investigated when the T-TENG is cut. The investigation on service behavior of T-TENG and TENG-based self-charging system pushes forward the development of highly reliable electronics and is a guide for other nanodevices and nanosystems.

Recyclable and Green Triboelectric Nanogenerator

A recyclable and green triboelectronic nanogenerator (TENG) is developed based on triboelectrification and designed cascade reactions. Once triggered by water, the TENG can fully dissolve and degrade into environmentally benign end products. With features of rapid dissolution, reproductivity, and green electronic, the TENG has potential of serving as clearable energy harvester and nanosensor for health monitoring and motion sensing.

Development, applications, and future directions of triboelectric nanogenerators

Since the invention of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) in 2012, it has become one of the most vital innovations in energy harvesting technologies. The TENG has seen enormous progress to date, particularly in applications for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. It starts with the simple working principles of the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction, but can scavenge almost any kind of ambient mechanical energy in our daily life into electricity. Extraordinary output performance optimization of the TENG has been achieved, with high area power density and energy conversion efficiency. Moreover, TENGs can also be utilized as self-powered active sensors to monitor many environmental parameters. This review describes the recent progress in mainstream energy harvesting and self-powered sensing research based on TENG technology. The birth and development of the TENG are introduced, following which structural designs and performance optimizations for output performance enhancement of the TENG are discussed. The major applications of the TENG as a sustainable power source or a self-powered sensor are presented. The TENG, with rationally designed structures, can convert irregular and mostly low-frequency mechanical energies from the environment, such as human motion, mechanical vibration, moving automobiles, wind, raindrops, and ocean waves. In addition, the development of self-powered active sensors for a variety of environmental simulations based on the TENG is presented. The TENG plays a great role in promoting the development of emerging Internet of Things, which can make everyday objects connect more smartly and energy-efficiently in the coming years. Finally,the future directions and perspectives of the TENG are outlined. The TENG is not only a sustainable micro-power source for small devices, but also serves as a potential macro-scale generator of power from water waves in the future.