High Direct Current Output Through Flexible Film Triboelectric Generator Employing Wind Power

Amongst various energy harvesting technologies, triboelectric generators (TEGs) are one of the promising energy harvesters in limelight due to its advantages such as simple structure, great deal of possibilities for various materials, high voltage output. However, frictional damage is the topmost challenge since TEG utilizes contact electrification from repeated contact and separation on the surfaces of two materials. To decrease the frictional wear, flexible materials can be applied, but the efficiency of electrical output would be greatly lowered. In this study, the flexible arch-shaped film TEG (FAS-TEG) is introduced to decrease frictional force by applying moderate normal force and increase the contact area with films of flexible triboelectric materials. and metal-to-metal contact between the fixed and moving electrodes causes ampere-level electrostatic discharge which can generate high direct-current output of 1.7A. FAS-TEG can charge a 100 µF capacitor to 1.74 V for 200 s with wind power even without a rectifying circuit and it could power commercial a thermohydrometer. Finally, FAS-TEG can be further developed to be the promising power source for future electronics.