Polydirectional Microvibration Energy Collection for Self-Powered Multifunctional Systems Based on Hybridized Nanogenerators

ACS Nano. 2020 Mar 24;14(3):3328-3336. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.9b08998. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Abstract

Vibrations in the environment are usually distributed over a wide frequency spectrum in multiple directions and a weaker amplitude, which makes most of the current vibrational energy collectors limited in practical environmental applications. Herein, a triboelectric-electromagnetic hybridized nanogenerator (TEHG) for low-frequency random microvibrational energy harvesting in all directions and a wide working bandwidth is fabricated. The output peak power of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) up to 3.65 mW is realized (θ = 0.4 rad, f = 1 Hz). In addition, a real self-powered seawater splitting system and electrochemical cathodic protection system are fabricated, directly converting blue energy to hydrogen energy, and the ships can achieve self-protection against corrosion. Furthermore, relying on the linear relationship between the number of peaks and the amplitude of vibration, a highly sensitive self-powered vibration amplitude sensor system based on LabVIEW software is achieved, which can be used as an amplitude detection of bridges and earthquake monitoring, etc. This work is an important development for harvesting low-frequency random multiple direction microvibrational energy over a wide working bandwidth and the bright future of blue energy. In addition, it has been successfully applied to the power supply of portable electronic equipment, environmental monitors, and self-powered systems.

Keywords: electromagnetic generator; energy harvesting; polydirectional microvibration energy; self-powered multifunctional systems; triboelectric nanogenerators.