Innovative Strategies for High Current Output of Triboelectric Nanogenerator via Electrostatic Discharge

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is one of the promising energy harvesting technologies that can easily convert a mechanical energy input to an electric energy output. As the TENGs have several advantages like simple design, low weight, and high applicability, TENGs are expected to harvest the abandoned small and random mechanical energy such as body movement, low velocity wind, etc. However, TENGs can only generate low current output of about few microamperes by its fundamental working mechanism. Even though general TENGs can generate relatively high voltage of about 100 to 200 V, the low current output of TENGs limits the application field of TENGs. Therefore, it is necessary to fabricate a new working mechanism of TENGs that can generate high current output for broadening the application field of TENGs.<br/>In this regard, we propose innovative strategies for designing high current TENGs using the electrostatic discharge (ESD) effect. As there are several methods to regulate the ESD, we demonstrate the three other strategies of occurring ESD inside the device, using dielectric lubricant oil, and utilizing ion channel to occur the ESD outside of the TENG device. With these strategies, the peak current outputs of TENGs are measured from 85 mA to 15 A which is significantly higher than the current output of general TENGs. Based on the high current output of ESD based TENGs, it was able to utilize the ESD based TENGs for various applications such as powering 200 to 2000 series or parallel connected LEDs, charging lithium-ion battery and high capacitance capacitors, turning on commercial devices such as hygrometer, radio, and generating hydrogen with electrolysis. We expect that these strategies can expand the application field of TENGs and lead the use of TENG in real life.