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Micromachines
Special Issues
Micro-Energy Harvesting Technologies and Self-Powered Sensing Systems
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Micro-Energy Harvesting Technologies and Self-Powered Sensing Systems

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "E：Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2781

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhaozheng Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
Interests: nanogenerator; tribovoltaic effect; semiconductor; energy harvesting
Dr. Tianzhao Bu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Flexible Electronics Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: flexible sensor design and manufacturing; robotic haptic perception/human health monitoring applications
Dr. Jianhua Zeng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Interests: triboelectric nanogenerator; tribotronics; flexible electronics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable devices, and edge computing, conventional battery-powered systems are increasingly constrained by limitations such as low energy density, high replacement costs, and environmental pollution. Against this backdrop, self-powered sensing systems based on micro-energy harvesting from ambient sources (e.g., vibration, light, heat, and radiofrequency signals) have emerged as a transformative research frontier. This field, driven by synergistic advancements in micro/nano-fabrication technologies, novel functional materials (including triboelectric nanogenerators, piezoelectric/thermoelectric materials, and photovoltaic semiconductors), and ultra-low-power electronics, is progressively enabling closed-loop architectures that capture dispersed environmental energy to autonomously operate smart terminals. Self-powered systems are expected to evolve toward intelligent, miniaturized, and highly environment-symbiotic paradigms. By leveraging cross-scale co-innovation across materials, devices, and systems, scenario-specific self-powered solutions will be developed to propel sensing systems from a “passively powered” mode to an “environment-symbiotic” ecosystem.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest micro-energy harvesting technologies and self-powered sensing system applications from the perspectives of mechanisms, materials, fabrication, and applications, encompassing research papers, short communications, and review articles. The range of the topics may include, but need not be limited to, the following aspects: piezoelectric, triboelectric, photovoltaic, thermoelectric harvesters, self-powered sensors, multifunctional hydrogel, and flexible wearable devices.

Dr. Zhaozheng Wang
Dr. Tianzhao Bu
Dr. Jianhua Zeng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • micro-energy harvesting
  • self-powered sensing
  • functional materials
  • micro fabrication
  • wearable devices

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5152 KB  
Article
Simulation-Based Design of an Electrically Tunable Beam-Steering Metasurface Driven by a Triboelectric Nanogenerator
by Penghui Luo, Longlong Zhang, Shuaixing Wang and Zhiyuan Zhu
Micromachines 2025, 16(8), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080948 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 300
Abstract
This study presents a simulation-based feasibility analysis of a beam steering metasurface, theoretically driven by mechanical energy harvested from human motion via a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). In the proposed model, the TENG converts biomechanical motion into alternating current (AC), which is rectified into [...] Read more.
This study presents a simulation-based feasibility analysis of a beam steering metasurface, theoretically driven by mechanical energy harvested from human motion via a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). In the proposed model, the TENG converts biomechanical motion into alternating current (AC), which is rectified into direct current (DC) to bias varactor diodes integrated into each metasurface unit cell. These bias voltages are numerically applied to dynamically modulate the local reflection phase, enabling beam steering without external power. Full-wave electromagnetic simulations were conducted to confirm the feasibility of beam manipulation under TENG-generated voltage levels. The proposed simulation-driven design offers a promising framework for battery-free, adaptive electromagnetic control with potential applications in wearable electronics, intelligent sensing, and energy-autonomous radar systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro-Energy Harvesting Technologies and Self-Powered Sensing Systems)
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23 pages, 11560 KB  
Article
An N-Shaped Beam Symmetrical Vibration Energy Harvester for Structural Health Monitoring of Aviation Pipelines
by Xutao Lu, Yingwei Qin, Zihao Jiang and Jing Li
Micromachines 2025, 16(8), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080858 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 327
Abstract
Wireless sensor networks provide a solution for structural health monitoring of aviation pipelines. In the installation environment of aviation pipelines, widespread vibrations can be utilized to extract energy through vibration energy harvesting technology to achieve self-powering of sensors. This study analyzed the vibration [...] Read more.
Wireless sensor networks provide a solution for structural health monitoring of aviation pipelines. In the installation environment of aviation pipelines, widespread vibrations can be utilized to extract energy through vibration energy harvesting technology to achieve self-powering of sensors. This study analyzed the vibration characteristics of aviation pipeline structures. The vibration characteristics and influencing factors of typical aviation pipeline structures were obtained through simulations and experiments. An N-shaped symmetric vibration energy harvester was designed considering the limited space in aviation pipeline structures. To improve the efficiency of electrical energy extraction from the vibration energy harvester, expand its operating frequency band, and achieve efficient vibration energy harvesting, this study first analyzed its natural frequency characteristics through theoretical analysis. Finite element simulation software was then used to analyze the effects of the external excitation acceleration direction, mass and combination of counterweights, piezoelectric sheet length, and piezoelectric material placement on the output power of the energy harvester. The structural parameters of the vibration energy harvester were optimized, and the optimal working conditions were determined. The experimental results indicate that the N-shaped symmetric vibration energy harvester designed and optimized in this study improves the efficiency of vibration energy harvesting and can be arranged in the limited space of aviation pipeline structures. It achieves efficient energy harvesting under multi-modal conditions, different excitation directions, and a wide operating frequency band, thus meeting the practical application requirement and engineering feasibility of aircraft design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro-Energy Harvesting Technologies and Self-Powered Sensing Systems)
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24 pages, 4771 KB  
Article
Constant High-Voltage Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Stable AC for Sustainable Energy Harvesting
by Aso Ali Abdalmohammed Shateri, Salar K. Fatah, Fengling Zhuo, Nazifi Sani Shuaibu, Chuanrui Chen, Rui Wan and Xiaozhi Wang
Micromachines 2025, 16(7), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16070801 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 647
Abstract
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) hold significant potential for decentralized energy harvesting; however, their dependence on rotational mechanical energy often limits their ability to harness ubiquitous horizontal motion in real-world applications. Here, a single horizontal linear-to-rotational triboelectric nanogenerator (SHLR-TENG) is presented, designed to efficiently convert [...] Read more.
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) hold significant potential for decentralized energy harvesting; however, their dependence on rotational mechanical energy often limits their ability to harness ubiquitous horizontal motion in real-world applications. Here, a single horizontal linear-to-rotational triboelectric nanogenerator (SHLR-TENG) is presented, designed to efficiently convert linear motion into rotational energy using a robust gear system, enabling a high voltage and reliable full cycle of alternating current (AC). The device features a radially patterned disk with triboelectric layers composed of polyimide. The SHLR-TENG achieves a peak-to-peak voltage of 1420 V, a short-circuit current of 117 µA, and an average power output of 41.5 mW, with a surface charge density of 110 µC/m2. Moreover, it demonstrates a power density per unit volume of 371.2 W·m−3·Hz−1. The device retains 80% efficiency after 1.5 million cycles, demonstrating substantial durability under mechanical stress. These properties enable the SHLR-TENG to directly power commercial LEDs and low-power circuits without the need for energy storage. This study presents an innovative approach to sustainable energy generation by integrating horizontal motion harvesting with rotational energy conversion. The compact and scalable design of the SHLR-TENG, coupled with its resilience to humidity (20–90% RH) and temperature fluctuations (10–70 °C), positions it as a promising next-generation energy source for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and autonomous systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro-Energy Harvesting Technologies and Self-Powered Sensing Systems)
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37 pages, 8365 KB  
Article
Hybrid Piezo–Electromagnetic Device Designed to Harvest the Vibrations of the Human Body
by George-Claudiu Zărnescu, Lucian Pîslaru-Dănescu and Ioan Stamatin
Micromachines 2025, 16(6), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16060675 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 1102
Abstract
This paper focuses on hybrid piezo–electromagnetic generators, which are assembled from a magnetic repulsion pad made of two disk magnets, a sliding cylindrical magnet placed inside a tube, a coil, and an assembly of piezoelectric elements connected with the magnetic pad, as well [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on hybrid piezo–electromagnetic generators, which are assembled from a magnetic repulsion pad made of two disk magnets, a sliding cylindrical magnet placed inside a tube, a coil, and an assembly of piezoelectric elements connected with the magnetic pad, as well as an electronic system for rectification and voltage adjustment. Four piezo–electromagnetic generators have been developed. Two linear generators without magnetic cores were tested and optimized for low-frequency (0.2 Hz…5 Hz) and low-amplitude body movements. The other two generators were also designed to handle high-vibration amplitudes, to generate up to 2.2–2.5 W of power. An algorithm for the calculation and modeling of these hybrid generators is presented, as well as simulation models. In addition, an electronic hybrid voltage converter was realized. It was observed that the system harvesting efficiency was increased by adding a large capacitive buffer made of electrolytic capacitors after the Schottky diode rectifiers bridges. This capacitive buffer, together with the electronic pre-regulator, has the role of limiting the voltage to the desired input value and of being the first charging stage. Finally, in the second charging stage, an electronic converter is used to charge the supercapacitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro-Energy Harvesting Technologies and Self-Powered Sensing Systems)
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