Module-Type Triboelectric Nanogenerators Capable of Harvesting Power from a Variety of Mechanical Energy Sources
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micromachines Article Module-Type Triboelectric Nanogenerators Capable of Harvesting Power from a Variety of Mechanical Energy Sources Jaehee Shin 1 , Sungho Ji 1, Jiyoung Yoon 2 and Jinhyoung Park 1,* 1 School of Mechatronics Engineering, Korea University of Technology & Education, Cheonan 1600, Chungjeolro, Korea; [email protected] (J.S.); [email protected] (S.J.) 2 Safety System R&D Group, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, 320 Techno sunhwan-ro, Yuga-myeon, Daegu 42994, Dalseong-gun, Korea; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-41-560-1124 Abstract: In this study, we propose a module-type triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) capable of harvesting electricity from a variety of mechanical energy sources and generating power from diverse forms that fit the modular structure of the generator. The potential energy and kinetic energy of water are used for the rotational motion of the generator module, and electricity is generated by the contact/separation generation mode between the two triboelectric surfaces inside the rotating TENG. Through the parametric design of the internal friction surface structure and mass ball, we optimized the output of the proposed structure. To magnify the power, experiments were conducted to optimize the electrical output of the series of the TENG units. Consequently, outputs of 250 V and ◦ 11 µA were obtained when the angle formed between the floor and the housing was set at 0 while nitrile was set as the positively charged material and the frequency was set at 7 Hz. The electrical Citation: Shin, J.; Ji, S.; Yoon, J.; Park, signal generated by the module-type TENG can be used as a sensor to recognize the strength and J. Module-Type Triboelectric direction of various physical quantities, such as wind and earthquake vibrations. Nanogenerators Capable of Harvesting Power from a Variety of Keywords: energy harvesting; triboelectric nanogenerators; vibration energy Mechanical Energy Sources. Micromachines 2021, 12, 1043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ mi12091043 1. Introduction As the applications of Internet of Things sensors increase, much attention is given Academic Editor: to energy harvesting, which is a technology that enables self-generation [1]. Generators Nam-Trung Nguyen that adopt energy harvesting technology for using wasted energy include thermoelectric, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) [2–6]. The tribo- Received: 25 July 2021 electric nanogenerator operates by the movement of electrons from one object to another Accepted: 27 August 2021 Published: 29 August 2021 when two different objects are rubbed against each other. The polarity of the charges on the surface of the contacting triboelectric materials is determined by the triboelectric Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral series, and the surface charges differ according to the position of the external circuit, thus with regard to jurisdictional claims in inducing the flow of electrons. Among materials with different properties, negatively published maps and institutional affil- charged materials tend to gain electrons, whereas the positively charged materials tend iations. to lose electrons [7–9]. Triboelectricity can be used not only for power generation but also for sensors. The application of triboelectric generators as sensors is possible because the amount of electricity generated during friction depends on the degree of external friction [10–13]. The triboelectric nanogenerator-based sensors are self-generated and will be suitable for various applications, such as motion, vibration, pressure, and tactile sen- Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. sors. [14]. Additionally, the strength of ocean waves can be monitored by floating a circular This article is an open access article triboelectric generator device in the ocean. When multiple devices are combined, electric distributed under the terms and signals of a wide frequency range and high outputs can be achieved compared with when conditions of the Creative Commons a single device is used [15–19]. Finally, by using wind power, the direction of the wind can Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// be detected [20–23] and the amount of rainfall can be measured [24–28]. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ It can be seen from these previous works that researchers have aimed to harvest 4.0/). kinetic energy effectively, but little research has been conducted on a module-type TENG Micromachines 2021, 12, 1043. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12091043 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/micromachines Micromachines 2021, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 11 It can be seen from these previous works that researchers have aimed to harvest ki- netic energy effectively, but little research has been conducted on a module-type TENG that enables the harvesting of various types of kinetic energy rather than a single type. In this study, we propose a TENG in modular form, which consists of silicone rubber balls and wires embedded inside a cylindrical frame. In the module-type TENG, both the pos- itively and negatively charged materials are placed in the cylindrical housing to form a single structure, unlike in the TENG of previous studies in which negatively and posi- Micromachinestively charged2021, 12, 1043 materials are separated to form two structures. The proposed modular2 of 11 form enables versatility in the application of the TENG because it can be attached to vari- ous structures of objects that generate mechanical energy. To demonstrate the capability of the developed module-typethat enables theTENG harvesting in harves of variousting types various of kinetic types energy of rather kinetic than aenergy, single type. an In this study, we propose a TENG in modular form, which consists of silicone rubber output performance testballs was and wiresconducted embedded in inside vertical, a cylindrical pendulum, frame. Inand the rotational module-type motions. TENG, both the positively and negatively charged materials are placed in the cylindrical housing to 2. Materials and Methodsform a single structure, unlike in the TENG of previous studies in which negatively and positively charged materials are separated to form two structures. The proposed modular 2.1. Fabrication Processform of the enables Triboelectric versatility in Nanogenerator the application of the(TENG) TENG because Device it canand be Silicone attached to Rubber various structures of objects that generate mechanical energy. To demonstrate the capability of the Balls developed module-type TENG in harvesting various types of kinetic energy, an output Figure 1a illustratesperformance a schematic test was of conducted a TENG in vertical,in a dynamic pendulum, state. and rotational The housing motions. and mold that were used to create2. Materials the silicone and Methods rubber balls of the TENG were created by the fused deposition modeling (FDM)2.1. Fabrication method Process using of the Triboelectric a 3D printer Nanogenerator (DP203 (TENG) 3D WOX1, Device and Sindoh, Silicone Seoul, Rubber Balls Korea). Polylactic acid (PLA) was used as the printing filament. To determine the effect of Figure1a illustrates a schematic of a TENG in a dynamic state. The housing and mold the design and experimentalthat were usedvariables, to create the silicone housing rubber had balls an of outer the TENG diameter were created of 90 by themm fused and a height of 105 mm; andeposition inner modelingdiameter (FDM) of method80 mm using was a 3Dcovered printer (DP203 with 3D1 WOX1,mm of Sindoh, aluminum Seoul, Korea). Polylactic acid (PLA) was used as the printing filament. To determine the effect of tape and 1 mm of nitrile.the design The and angle experimental formed variables, by the the housing housing had with an outer the diameter floor was of 90 mmset andat a0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°. Thisheight size of 105was mm; optimize an inner diameterd to improve of 80 mm was the covered output with performance 1 mm of aluminum of tape the ◦ ◦ ◦ TENG. and 1 mm of nitrile. The angle formed by the housing with the floor was set at 0 , 30 , 60 , and 90◦. This size was optimized to improve the output performance of the TENG. Figure 1. Schematic and experimental configuration of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). (a) Schematic and movement of Figure 1. Schematic and experimental configuration of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). (a) the TENG in a dynamic state, (b) material composition of the TENG, (c) photograph of the configuration of the experimental Schematicequipment, and (d) plotmovement of the output of voltage, the TENG and (e) plotin a of dynamic the output currentstate, of(b the) material TENG. PLA: composition polylactic acid. of the TENG, (c) photograph of the configuration of the experimental equipment, (d) plot of the output voltage, and (e) plot of the output currentAs shown of inthe Figure TENG.1b, the PLA: interior polylactic housing of acid. the TENG was covered with an electrode and a positively charged material in that order. Aluminum tape was used as the electrode. The aluminum, nitrile, and paper were each used as positively charged materials to analyze As shown in Figuretheir effects1b, the on output.interior To createhousin theg ball of that the was TENG used as was the negatively covered charged with material,an elec- trode and a positivelya magneticcharged bar material was used to in stir th a 1:1at ratioorder. of part Aluminum A (D.S. NV10) tape and partwas B (curingused agent)as the for 5 min. A copper wool electrode of 0.9 g was mixed in the properly stirred silicone electrode. The aluminum, nitrile, and paper were each used as positively charged materi- als to analyze their effects on output. To create the ball that was used as the negatively charged material, a magnetic bar was used to stir a 1:1 ratio of part A (D.S. NV10) and part B (curing agent) for 5 min. A copper wool electrode of 0.9 g was mixed in the properly stirred silicone rubber; afterward, 17 g was poured into the 3D-printed mold created using Micromachines 2021, 12, 1043 3 of 11 rubber; afterward, 17 g was poured into the 3D-printed mold created using the FDM 3D printer and dried for approximately 6 h at room temperature (23 ◦C).