title: Integrated multilayered triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting biomechanical energy from human motions.
abstract: We demonstrate a new flexible multilayered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with extremely low cost, simple structure, small size (3.8 cm×3.8 cm×0.95 cm) and lightweight (7 g) by innovatively integrating five layers of units on a single flexible substrate. Owing to the unique structure and nanopore-based surface modification on the metal surface, the instantaneous short-circuit current (Isc) and the open-circuit voltage (Voc) could reach 0.66 mA and 215 V with an instantaneous maximum power density of 9.8 mW/cm2 and 10.24 mW/cm3. This is the first 3D integrated TENG for enhancing the output power. Triggered by press from normal walking, the TENG attached onto a shoe pad was able to instantaneously drive multiple commercial LED bulbs. With the flexible structure, the TENG can be further integrated into clothes or even attached onto human body without introducing sensible obstruction and discomfort to human motions. The novel design of TENG demonstrated here can be applied to potentially achieve self-powered portable electronics.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0245, United States.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zong-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Qingshen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Gong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jusheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhong Lin
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004735:Energy Transfer / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014159:Transducers