Yannan Xie

Sliding-Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on In-Plane Charge- Separation Mechanism

Aiming at harvesting ambient mechanical energy for self-powered systems, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been recently developed as a highly efficient, cost-effective and robust approach to generate electricity from mechanical movements and vibrations on the basis of the coupling between triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. However, all of the previously demonstrated TENGs are based on vertical separation of triboelectric-charged planes, which requires sophisticated device structures to ensure enough resilience for the charge separation, otherwise there is no output current. In this paper, we demonstrated a newly designed TENG based on an in-plane charge separation process using the relative sliding between two contacting surfaces. Using Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films with surface etched nanowires, the two polymers at the opposite ends of the triboelectric series, the newly invented TENG produces an open-circuit voltage up to ~1300 V and a short-circuit current density of 4.1 mA/m(2) with a peak power density of 5.3 W/m(2), which can be used as a direct power source for instantaneously driving hundreds of serially connected light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The working principle and the relationships between electrical outputs and the sliding motion are fully elaborated and systematically studied, providing a new mode of TENGs with diverse applications. Compared to the existing vertical-touching based TENGs, this planar-sliding TENG has a high efficiency, easy fabrication, and suitability for many types of mechanical triggering. Furthermore, with the relationship between the electrical output and the sliding motion being calibrated, the sliding-based TENG could potentially be used as a self-powered displacement/speed/acceleration sensor.

Segmentally Structured Disk Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Rotational Mechanical Energy

We introduce an innovative design of a disk triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with segmental structures for harvesting rotational mechanical energy. Based on a cyclic in-plane charge separation between the segments that have distinct triboelectric polarities, the disk TENG generates electricity with unique characteristics, which have been studied by conjunction of experimental results with finite element calculations. The role played by the segmentation number is studied for maximizing output. A distinct relationship between the rotation speed and the electrical output has been thoroughly investigated, which not only shows power enhancement at high speed but also illuminates its potential application as a self-powered angular speed sensor. Owing to the nonintermittent and ultrafast rotation-induced charge transfer, the disk TENG has been demonstrated as an efficient power source for instantaneously or even continuously driving electronic devices and/or charging an energy storage unit. This work presents a novel working mode of TENGs and opens up many potential applications of nanogenerators for harvesting even large-scale energy.

Triboelectric active sensor array for self-powered static and dynamic pressure detection and tactile imaging.

We report an innovative, large-area, and self-powered pressure mapping approach based on the triboelectric effect, which converts the mechanical stimuli into electrical output signals. The working mechanism of the triboelectric active sensor (TEAS) was theoretically studied by both analytical method and numerical calculation to gain an intuitive understanding of the relationship between the applied pressure and the responsive signals. Relying on the unique pressure response characteristics of the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current, we realize both static and dynamic pressure sensing on a single device for the first time. A series of comprehensive investigations were carried out to characterize the performance of the TEAS, and high sensitivity (0.31 kPa(-1)), ultrafast response time (<5 ms), long-term stability (30,000 cycles), as well as low detection limit (2.1 Pa) were achieved. The pressure measurement range of the TEAS was adjustable, which means both gentle pressure detection and large-scale pressure sensing were enabled. Through integrating multiple TEAS units into a sensor array, the as-fabricated TEAS matrix was capable of monitoring and mapping the local pressure distribution applied on the device with distinguishable spatial profiles. This work presents a technique for tactile imaging and progress toward practical applications of nanogenerators, providing potential solutions for accomplishment of artificial skin, human-electronic interfacing, and self-powered systems.

Freestanding triboelectric-layer-based nanogenerators for harvesting energy from a moving object or human motion in contact and non-contact modes.

For versatile mechanical energy harvesting from arbitrary moving objects such as humans, a new mode of triboelectric nanogenerator is developed based on the sliding of a freestanding triboelectric-layer between two stationary electrodes on the same plane. With two electrodes alternatively approached by the tribo-charges on the sliding layer, electricity is effectively generated due to electrostatic induction. A unique feature of this nanogenerator is that it can operate in non-contact sliding mode, which greatly increases the lifetime and the efficiency of such devices.

Grating-structured freestanding triboelectric-layer nanogenerator for harvesting mechanical energy at 85% total conversion efficiency

A newly-designed triboelectric nanogenerator is demonstrated which is composed of a grating-segmented freestanding triboelectric layer and two groups of interdigitated electrodes with the same periodicity. The sliding motion of the grating units across the electrode fingers can be converted into multiple alternating currents through the external load due to the contact electrification and electrostatic induction. Working in non-contact mode, the device shows excellent stability and the total conversion efficiency can reach up to 85% at low operation frequency.

Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on a Hybridized Mechanism for Harvesting Wind Energy

Harvesting mechanical energy is becoming increasingly important for its availability and abundance in our living environment. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient approach for generating electricity from mechanical energies in a wide range of forms. Here, we developed a TENG designed for harvesting tiny-scale wind energy available in our normal living environment using conventional materials. The energy harvester is based on a rotary driven mechanical deformation of multiple plate-based TENGs. The operation mechanism is a hybridization of the contact-sliding-separation-contact processes by using the triboelectrification and electrostatic induction effects. With the introduction of polymer nanowires on surfaces, the rotary TENG delivers an open-circuit voltage of 250 V and a short-circuit current of 0.25 mA, corresponding to a maximum power density of ~39 W/m(2) at a wind speed of ~15 m/s, which is capable of directly driving hundreds of electronic devices such as commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or rapidly charging capacitors. The rotary TENG was also applied as a self-powered sensor for measuring wind speed. This work represents a significant progress in the practical application of the TENG and its great potential in the future wind power technology. This technology can also be extended for harvesting energy from ocean current, making nanotechnology reaching our daily life a possibility in the near future.

Maximum Surface Charge Density for Triboelectric Nanogenerators Achieved by Ionized-Air Injection: Methodology and Theoretical Understanding

For the maximization of the surface charge density in triboelectric nanogenerators, a new method of injecting single-polarity ions onto surfaces is introduced for the generation of surface charges. The triboelectric nanogenerators output power gets greatly enhanced and its maximum surface charge density is systematically studied, which shows a huge room for the improvement of the output of triboelectric nanogenerators by surface modification.

Enhanced triboelectric nanogenerators and triboelectric nanosensor using chemically modified TiO2 nanomaterials.

Mechanical energy harvesting based on triboelectric effect has been proven to be a simple, cost-effective, and robust method for electricity generation. In this study, we developed a rationally designed triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) by utilizing the contact electrification between a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thin film and a layer of TiO2 nanomaterial (nanowire and nanosheet) array. The as-developed TENG was systematically studied and demonstrated as a self-powered nanosensor toward catechin detection. The high sensitivity (detection limit of 5 μM) and selectivity are achieved through a strong interaction between Ti atoms of TiO2 nanomaterial and enediol group of catechin. The output voltage and current density were increased by a factor of 5.0 and 2.9, respectively, when adsorbed with catechin of a saturated concentration, because of the charge transfer from catechin to TiO2. This study demonstrates the possibility of improving the electrical output of TENG through chemical modification.

Noncontact Free-Rotating Disk Triboelectric Nanogenerator as a Sustainable Energy Harvester and Self-Powered Mechanical Sensor

In this work, we introduced an innovative noncontact, free-rotating disk triboelectric nanogenerator (FRD-TENG) for sustainably scavenging the mechanical energy from rotary motions. Its working principle was clarified through numerical calculations of the relative-rotation-induced potential difference, which serves as the driving force for the electricity generation. The unique characteristic of the FRD-TENG enables its high output performance compared to its working at the contact mode, with an effective output power density of 1.22 W/m(2) for continuously driving 100 light-emitting diodes. Ultrahigh stability of the output and exceptional durability of the device structure were achieved, and the reliable output was utilized for fast/effective charging of a lithium ion battery. Based on the relationship between its output performance and the parameters of the mechanical stimuli, the FRD-TENG could be employed as a self-powered mechanical sensor, for simultaneously detecting the vertical displacement and rotation speed. The FRD-TENG has superior advantages over the existing disk triboelectric nanogenerator, and exhibits significant progress toward practical applications of nanogenerators for both energy harvesting and self-powered sensor networks.

Robust Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Rolling Electrification and Electrostatic Induction at an Instantaneous Energy Conversion Efficiency of ∼55%

In comparison to in-pane sliding friction, rolling friction not only is likely to consume less mechanical energy but also presents high robustness with minimized wearing of materials. In this work, we introduce a highly efficient approach for harvesting mechanical energy based on rolling electrification and electrostatic induction, aiming at improving the energy conversion efficiency and device durability. The rolling triboelectric nanogenerator is composed of multiple steel rods sandwiched by two fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) thin films. The rolling motion of the steel rods between the FEP thin films introduces triboelectric charges on both surfaces and leads to the change of potential difference between each pair of electrodes on back of the FEP layer, which drives the electrons to flow in the external load. As power generators, each pair of output terminals works independently and delivers an open-circuit voltage of 425 V, and a short-circuit current density of 5 mA/m(2). The two output terminals can also be integrated to achieve an overall power density of up to 1.6 W/m(2). The impacts of variable structural factors were investigated for optimization of the output performance, and other prototypes based on rolling balls were developed to accommodate different types of mechanical energy sources. Owing to the low frictional coefficient of the rolling motion, an instantaneous energy conversion efficiency of up to 55% was demonstrated and the high durability of the device was confirmed. This work presents a substantial advancement of the triboelectric nanogenerators toward large-scope energy harvesting and self-powered systems.