Bidirectional Rotating Direct-Current Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Self-Adjusting Structure for Mechanical Rectification Mechanism and Energy Harvesting from Reciprocating Motion

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have garnered significant attention in the field of innovative energy-harvesting technologies. Recent studies have concentrated on direct current (DC) TENGs to provide a stable DC output for electronic devices. However, conventional DC TENGs face challenges in generating stable DC output from reciprocating motions due to their traditional operating mechanisms. To overcome this issue, we introduce a bidirectional rotating DC TENG (BiR-TENG) that can produce DC outputs regardless of the rotation direction, even from reciprocating movements. The distinctive design of the BiR-TENG allows for the mechanical rectification of the alternating current (AC) output into a DC output dependent on the rotation direction. Moreover, it can transform this directional DC output into a unidirectional DC output by adjusting the configurations based on the rotation direction. This design strategy and subsequent optimizations lead to an effective unidirectional DC output. We demonstrated the practical applications of the BiR-TENG by harnessing the reciprocating motions of swinging doors and ocean waves. These examples illustrate the versatility and efficiency of the BiR-TENG design for energy harvesting from reciprocating motions, highlighting the potential of DC outputs as a reliable power source for electronic devices. This study emphasizes the BiR-TENG's potential as an innovative solution for stable DC energy harvesting in various applications, paving the way for more efficient and adaptable energy solutions.