AC/DC Convertible Pillar-Type Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Output Current Amplified by the Design of the Moving Electrode

As a valuable tool for harvesting energy, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) exhibit notable advantages over other energy-harvesting methods in terms of their low weight, low cost and high-power density. Despite their application potential in the domain of portable electronics, TENGs exhibit a limited maximum output owing to the high surface charge density during operation. Furthermore, TENGs inherently produce alternative current (AC); thus, an additional electrical circuit such as a rectifying circuit must be used as a portable power source. To overcome these problems, a triboelectric generation mechanism that can produce both AC and direct current outputs with amplified electrical current through the addition of a simple mechanical component is established. The proposed pillar-type TENG (P-TENG) can minimize the electrical loss during operation that occurs due to the contact between electrodes, allowing electrons to flow directly. Moreover, a miniaturized and portable variant of the P-TENG is designed to harvest mechanical energy in daily-life activities.