Enhanced output power of a freestanding ball-based triboelectric generator through the electrophorus effect

Tsz Hin Choy, O. Ying Ying, Feichi Zhou, Wei Xu, Man Chung Wong, Tao Ye, Jianhua Hao, Yang Chai

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The recent development of the Internet of Things and related sensor technologies has greatly impacted logistics tracking, structural health monitoring, environmental analysis, and data extraction. It is highly imperative to develop a technology to allow the sensor node to operate independently, sustainably, and in a maintenance-free way by harvesting energy from the ambient environment. Here we demonstrate a triboelectric device as a highly efficient and durable kinetic energy harvester from ubiquitous mechanical vibrations. We construct a cylinder coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and place a number of metal balls inside the cylinder. This ball-based triboelectric generator (B-TEG) converts the mechanical shaking into electricity. By grounding the metal-freestanding-layer, we form a new configuration (B-GTEG). The output power of B-GTEG shows an 8 fold improvement through the electrophorus effect compared with B-TEG, providing the potential for supplying sustainable power to wireless sensor nodes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)18518-18524
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume6
Issue number38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Materials Science

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