Effective energy storage from a triboelectric nanogenerator

To sustainably power electronics by harvesting mechanical energy using nanogenerators, energy storage is essential to supply a regulated and stable electric output, which is traditionally realized by a direct connection between the two components through a rectifier. However, this may lead to low energy-storage efficiency. Here, we rationally design a charging cycle to maximize energy-storage efficiency by modulating the charge flow in the system, which is demonstrated on a triboelectric nanogenerator by adding a motion-triggered switch. Both theoretical and experimental comparisons show that the designed charging cycle can enhance the charging rate, improve the maximum energy-storage efficiency by up to 50%…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1505319, DMR-1505319
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 51432005, DMR-1505319
• DO
  Division of Materials Research

  Award: DMR-1505319