A droplet-based multi-position and multi-layered triboelectric nanogenerator for large-scale raindrop energy harvesting

• Published in: AIP advances Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 055123 - 055123-8
• Main Authors: Yang, Yaowen, Cao, Bao, Yang, Chao, Wang, Zixun, Zhang, Haonan, Fang, Lin, He, Wen, Wang, Peihong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 01-05-2023; AIP Publishing LLC
• Subjects: Droplets; Energy harvesting; Horizontal orientation; Mathematical analysis; Moisture content; Multilayers; Nanogenerators; New technology; Rain water; Raindrops
• ISSN: 2158-3226; 2158-3226
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0148345

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is an emerging technology proven to have great potential in rainwater energy harvesting. However, most studies have focused only on single-position droplets, and there needs to be more research on multi-position, large-scale rainwater energy. In this work, we develop a multi-position and multi-layered triboelectric nanogenerator (MM-TENG) for large-scale raindrop energy harvesting. The multi-position structure can harvest multiple droplets in the horizontal direction. The water reservoir with multiple holes can convert a large amount of water into droplets, ensuring the output performance of the TENG. The multi-layered structure improves the efficiency of space utilization, as demonstrated by the current integration calculation, where a double-layered structure increases the output by 15.27% and a three-layered structure increases the output by 38.2% at the same height. Finally, we successfully lit up 50 LEDs and drove a commercial calculator with the power generated by the MM-TENG. This work provides a practical guide for collecting large-scale raindrop energy and self-driven sensing of the rainwater environment.