Direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator energy harvesting from footfalls (DC-TENGEHF)

Abstract

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is fabricated in this study to harvest mechanical walking energy and generate a direct current (DC) output. We constructed a TENG that utilizes the air breakdown during footfalls to produce direct current via an induced ionized air channel. A direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator (DC-TENG) is positioned inside the drum-like structure where a contact-separation technique was utilized to induce current between triboelectric materials. Our device known here as direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator energy harvesting from footfalls (DC-TENGEHF) can be utilized as a potential power supply from heavy pedestrian or vehicular traffic areas where downward forces are prominent. Our results show peak voltage reading of about ~35.0 mV in a single cycle with a measured direct current of about ~0.1 μA. Our DC-TENGEHF provides a proof of concept that a triboelectric nanogenerator device can generate direct current from downward pressure of the surroundings.