Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2024) | Viewed by 12966

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Guest Editor
Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: nature-inspired surfaces and materials; additive manufacturing; energy harvesting; fluid dynamics; soft matter; interfaces and surfaces
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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: energy harvesting; triboelectric phenomena and applications; triboelectric materials; nature-inspired surface engineering

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Guest Editor
School of Physics and Optoelectronics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Interests: energy harvesting; triboelectric phenomena and applications; surface charge manipulation; self-powered sensors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Triboelectric effects, an enigmatic and ubiquitous interfacial phenomenon, manifest through the generation of electric charges upon the contact and separation of dissimilar materials or even identical materials. Although its scientific genesis remains partially obscured, interfacial triboelectric effects assume mounting significance within contemporary scientific and technological realms owing to the pivotal role of interfaces as conduits for the transfer of mass and energy. By harnessing triboelectric effects, the meticulous control and regulation of material surface properties, including surface potential, wettability, adhesion, and surface conductivity, can be achieved, which is key for exploring interfacial/surface science and also various edge-cutting applications, such as energy harvesting, electrostatic liquid manipulation, high-sensitivity sensing, and touch-sensitive interfaces. One of the most promising areas pertains to triboelectric effect/material-mediated energy harvesting, which permits the electricity generation from low-frequency and highly decentralized mechanical energy existing in the surrounding environments, becoming a potential alternative to the conventional carbon-intensive fossil-fuel-based energy sources. This Special Issue seeks to showcase research papers, communications, and review articles that focus on recent advances relating to triboelectric effect/materials, from fundamental applications to innovative applications, thereby fostering and propelling further advancements in this captivating field.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Zuankai Wang
Dr. Wanghuai Xu
Prof. Dr. Hao WU
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • triboelectric effect
  • contact electrification
  • surface charges
  • energy harvesting
  • interfacial electric field
  • electrostatic surface sensing

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 6100 KiB  
Article
Research on the Performance of a Liquid–Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator Prototype Based on Multiphase Liquid
by Wei Wang, Jin Yan, Xianzhang Wang, Hongchen Pang, Chengqi Sun, Yin Sun, Lijun Wang and Dapeng Zhang
Micromachines 2025, 16(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16010078 - 11 Jan 2025
Viewed by 855
Abstract
In recent years, liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerators (L-S TENGs) have been rapidly developed in the field of liquid energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. This is due to a number of advantages inherent in the technology, including the low cost of fabricated materials, structural diversity, [...] Read more.
In recent years, liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerators (L-S TENGs) have been rapidly developed in the field of liquid energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. This is due to a number of advantages inherent in the technology, including the low cost of fabricated materials, structural diversity, high charge-energy conversion efficiency, environmental friendliness, and a wide range of applications. As liquid phase dielectric materials typically used in L-S TENG, a variety of organic and inorganic single-phase liquids, including distilled water, acidic solutions, sodium chloride solutions, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and acetonitrile, as well as paraffinic oils, have been used in experiments. However, it is noteworthy that the function of multiphase liquids as dielectric materials is still understudied. The “Multiphase Liquid Triboelectric Nanogenerator Prototype (ML-TENG Pro)” presented in this paper takes a single-electrode solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator as the basic model and uses lubricating oil and deionized water as dielectric materials. After verifying the stability of single-phase liquid materials (e.g., DI water, seawater, ethanol, etc.) for power generation, the power generation performances of oil–water two-phase, gas–oil–water three-phase (with a small number of bubbles), and gas–oil–water three-phase (with many bubbles) in open space are further investigated. COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 software was used to investigate the material transport mechanism and formation of oil–water two-phase and gas–oil–water three-phase. Finally, this study presents the power generation performance of ML-TENG Pro in the extreme state of gas–oil–water three-phase “emulsification”. This paper outlines the limitations of the ML-TENG, named PRO, and suggests avenues for future improvement. The research presented in this paper provides a theoretical basis for evaluating the quality of lubricants for mechanical power equipment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials)
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13 pages, 2311 KiB  
Article
Multifunctional Downhole Drilling Motor Speed Sensor Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator
by Yanbo Zhang, Shida Su, Lei Zhang, Yulin Gao and Chuan Wu
Micromachines 2024, 15(11), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15111395 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 888
Abstract
The measurement of downhole drilling motor rotational speed is crucial for optimizing drilling operations, improving work efficiency, and preventing equipment failures. However, traditional downhole rotational speed sensors suffer from power supply limitations, which can increase drilling costs. To address this issue, this study [...] Read more.
The measurement of downhole drilling motor rotational speed is crucial for optimizing drilling operations, improving work efficiency, and preventing equipment failures. However, traditional downhole rotational speed sensors suffer from power supply limitations, which can increase drilling costs. To address this issue, this study presents a novel multifunctional rotational speed sensor based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology, enabling the self-powered measurement of rotational speed, direction, and angle. Our experimental results demonstrate that the sensor operates stably within a temperature range of 0 to 150 °C and a humidity range of 0 to 90%. It achieves rotational speed measurement with an accuracy of less than 2.5% error within a range of 0 to 1000 rpm, angular measurement with a resolution of 60 degrees and an error of less than 2% within a range of 0 to 360 degrees, and rotational direction measurement. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits self-powered functionality, achieving a maximum power output of 29.1 μW when the external load is 10 MΩ. Compared to conventional rotational speed sensors, this sensor possesses the unique advantage of integrating the measurement of rotational speed, angle, and direction, while simultaneously harnessing downhole working conditions for self-power generation. These characteristics make it highly suitable for practical downhole environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials)
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11 pages, 6055 KiB  
Article
Miniaturized and High Volumetric Energy Density Power Supply Device Based on a Broad-Frequency Vibration Driven Triboelectric Nanogenerator
by Liting Wu, Zewei Ren, Yanjun Wang, Yumin Tang, Zhong Lin Wang and Rusen Yang
Micromachines 2024, 15(5), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15050645 - 13 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3475
Abstract
The widespread vibration is one of the most promising energy sources for IoT and small sensors, and broad-frequency vibration energy harvesting is important. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can convert vibration energy into electrical energy through triboelectricity and electrostatic induction, providing an effective solution to [...] Read more.
The widespread vibration is one of the most promising energy sources for IoT and small sensors, and broad-frequency vibration energy harvesting is important. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can convert vibration energy into electrical energy through triboelectricity and electrostatic induction, providing an effective solution to the collection of broad-frequency vibration energy. Also, the power supply in constrained and compact spaces has been a long-standing challenge. Here, a miniaturized power supply (MPS) based on a broad-frequency vibration-driven triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is developed. The size of the MPS is 38 mm × 26 mm × 20 mm, which can adapt to most space-limited environments. The TENG device is optimized through theoretical mechanical modeling for the external stimuli, it can efficiently harvest vibrational energy in the frequency range of 1–100 Hz and has a high output power density of 134.11 W/cm3. The developed device demonstrates its practical application potential in powering small electronics like LEDs, watches, and timers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials)
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12 pages, 2596 KiB  
Communication
Atomic Force Microscopy Study of the Long-Term Effect of the Glycerol Flow, Stopped in a Coiled Heat Exchanger, on Horseradish Peroxidase
by Yuri D. Ivanov, Ivan D. Shumov, Andrey F. Kozlov, Anastasia A. Valueva, Maria O. Ershova, Irina A. Ivanova, Alexander N. Ableev, Vadim Y. Tatur, Andrei A. Lukyanitsa, Nina D. Ivanova and Vadim S. Ziborov
Micromachines 2024, 15(4), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040499 - 4 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1217
Abstract
Glycerol is employed as a functional component of heat-transfer fluids, which are of use in both bioreactors and various biosensor devices. At the same time, flowing glycerol was reported to cause considerable triboelectric effects. Herein, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have [...] Read more.
Glycerol is employed as a functional component of heat-transfer fluids, which are of use in both bioreactors and various biosensor devices. At the same time, flowing glycerol was reported to cause considerable triboelectric effects. Herein, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have revealed the long-term effect of glycerol flow, stopped in a ground-shielded coiled heat exchanger, on horseradish peroxidase (HRP) adsorption on mica. Namely, the solution of HRP was incubated in the vicinity of the side of the cylindrical coil with stopped glycerol flow, and then HRP was adsorbed from this solution onto a mica substrate. This incubation has been found to markedly increase the content of aggregated enzyme on mica—as compared with the control enzyme sample. We explain the phenomenon observed by the influence of triboelectrically induced electromagnetic fields of non-trivial topology. The results reported should be further considered in the development of flow-based heat exchangers of biosensors and bioreactors intended for operation with enzymes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials)
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15 pages, 4998 KiB  
Article
Wind-Wave Synergistic Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Performance Evaluation Test and Potential Applications in Offshore Areas
by Zhen Pan, Weijian Wu, Jiangtao Zhou, Yili Hu, Jianping Li, Yingting Wang, Jijie Ma and Jianming Wen
Micromachines 2024, 15(3), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15030314 - 24 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1575
Abstract
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can effectively collect low-frequency, disordered mechanical energy and are therefore widely studied in the field of ocean energy collection. Most of the rotary TENGs studied so far tend to have insufficient rotation, resulting in slow charge transfer rates in low-frequency [...] Read more.
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can effectively collect low-frequency, disordered mechanical energy and are therefore widely studied in the field of ocean energy collection. Most of the rotary TENGs studied so far tend to have insufficient rotation, resulting in slow charge transfer rates in low-frequency ocean environments. For this reason, in this paper, we propose a wind-wave synergistic triboelectric nanogenerator (WWS-TENG). It is different from the traditional rotary TENGs based on free-standing mode in that its power generation unit has two types of rotors, and the two rotors rotate in opposite directions under the action of wind energy and wave energy, respectively. This type of exercise can more effectively collect energy. The WWS-TENG has demonstrated excellent performance in sea wind and wave energy harvesting. In the simulated ocean environment, the peak power can reach 13.5 mW under simulated wind-wave superposition excitation; the output of the WWS-TENG increased by 49% compared to single-wave power generation. The WWS-TENG proposal provides a novel means of developing marine renewable energy, and it also demonstrates broad application potential in the field of the self-powered marine Internet of Things (IoT). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials)
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Review

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30 pages, 9474 KiB  
Review
Advancements and Future Prospects in Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting Technology Based on Micro-Energy Technology
by Weihong Yang, Jiaxin Peng, Qiulin Chen, Sicheng Zhao, Ran Zhuo, Yan Luo and Lingxiao Gao
Micromachines 2024, 15(10), 1199; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15101199 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 3882
Abstract
Marine wave energy exhibits significant potential as a renewable resource due to its substantial energy storage capacity and high energy density. However, conventional wave power generation technologies often suffer from drawbacks such as high maintenance costs, cumbersome structures, and suboptimal conversion efficiencies, thereby [...] Read more.
Marine wave energy exhibits significant potential as a renewable resource due to its substantial energy storage capacity and high energy density. However, conventional wave power generation technologies often suffer from drawbacks such as high maintenance costs, cumbersome structures, and suboptimal conversion efficiencies, thereby limiting their potential. The wave power generation technologies based on micro-energy technology have emerged as promising new approaches in recent years, owing to their inherent advantages of cost-effectiveness, simplistic structure, and ease of manufacturing. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current research status in wave energy harvesting through micro-energy technologies, including detailed descriptions of piezoelectric nanogenerators, electromagnetic generators, triboelectric nanogenerators, dielectric elastomer generators, hydrovoltaic generators, and hybrid nanogenerators. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of the prevailing issues and challenges associated with these technologies, while also offering insights into the future development trajectory of wave energy harvesting technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Applications of Triboelectric Effects/Materials)
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