Triboelectric driven turbine to generate electricity from the motion of water

• Published in: Nano energy Vol. 30; pp. 379 - 386
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Cátia R.S., Alves, Carla A.S., Puga, Joel, Pereira, André M., Ventura, João O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2016
• Subjects: Contact electrification; Electrostatic induction; Energy harvesting; Triboelectric nanogenerators; Triboelectricity; Water flows; Electrostatic induction; Triboelectric nanogenerators; Water flows; Energy harvesting; Triboelectricity; Contact electrification
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2016.09.038

Triboelectric nanogenerators are a new promising energy harvesting technology that has a simple working mechanism, produces high output power and has the ability of harvesting energy from a wide range of sources and under various conditions. Here, we present a rotary triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that harvests energy from water flows using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Nylon 6.6 as triboelectric materials. The operation mechanism of the fabricated rotary TENG is a hybridization of the contact and sliding modes by using the triboelectrification and electrostatic induction effects. The optimization of the developed setup for the effective generation of electricity showed that the best configuration consists in a triboelectric structure with four Nylon and one PTFE plate for the maximum used water flow of 44L/min. With this configuration, the rotary TENG delivers a mean voltage value of ∼102.2V, a short-circuit current density ∼120mA/m2 and a maximum power density of ∼6.1W/m2. Finally, with this device it was possible to light up more than 50 serial-connected light emitting diodes, fully charge a 1.0μF capacitor with 15.2V in just 65s and feed a commercial temperature and humidity sensor. The developed rotary TENG can then be applied to autonomous sensors that monitor water supply systems using the energy produced by water movement in plumbing.
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•A novel rotary TENG is invented to harvest small-scale water energy.•We optimized the developed setup, based on the electrical outputs obtained.•Our study revealed that the electrical outputs increase with increasing water flow.•The rotary TENG delivers a 〈VOC〉 of ∼102.2V and jSC∼120mA/m2; and•We discuss the prospects and challenges of the rotary TENG for future developments.