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Zhang Y, Zhang J, Zheng H, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Liu X. A Flexible Hybrid Generator for Efficient Dual Energy Conversion from Raindrops to Electricity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2404310. [PMID: 38896839 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202404310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Electromagnetic generators are conventionally used to harvest energy from large water bodies, but they are ineffective for harvesting low hydro-energy, such as raindrops or fogs, due to their bulky, heavy and immovable. Unfortunately, developing new strategies that are lightweight, small, and have high conversion efficiency to convert such low hydro-energy into electricity remains a challenge. Herein, a flexible droplet-based hybrid electricity generator (DHEG) consisting of a droplet-based electricity generator (DEG) and an electromagnetic generator (EMG) is proposed to convert the dual energy of water droplets into electricity simultaneously. The DHEG is assembled by facilely merging DEG and EMG using conductive elastic multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane (MWCNTs/PDMS) film. The MWCNTs/PDMS film can not only serve as a bottom electrode for switching on the DEG, but also as an elastic component for the EMG to vibrate the coil when impacted by water droplets. Activated by a single 58.2 µL droplet falling from a height of 50 cm, the peak voltage, current and power generated by the DHEG are ≈84.6 V, ≈19.85 mA, and ≈595.8 µW, respectively. The energy conversion efficiency of the DHEG is up to ≈13.8%. This flexible hybrid generator may provide a promising strategy for effectively harvesting energy from raindrops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Huanxi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Yang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Yuyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Xiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
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Jang S, Shah SA, Lee J, Cho S, Kam D, Ra Y, Lee D, Khawar MR, Yoo D, Ahmad A, Choi D. Beyond Metallic Electrode: Spontaneous Formation of Fluidic Electrodes from Operational Liquid in Highly Functional Droplet-Based Electricity Generator. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2403090. [PMID: 38695508 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The droplet-based electricity generator (DEG) has facilitated efficient droplet energy harvesting, yet diversifying its applications necessitates the incorporation of various to the DEG. This study first proposes a methodology for advancing the DEG by substituting its conventional metallic electrode with electrically conductive water electrode (WE), which is spontaneously generated during the operation of the DEG with operating liquid. Due to the inherent conductive and fluidic nature of water, the introduction of the WE maintains the electrical output performance of the DEG while imparting functionalities such as high transparency and flexibility. So, the resultant WE applied DEG (WE-DEG) exhibits high optical transmittance (≈99%) and retains its electricity-generating capability under varying deformations, including bending and stretching. This innovation expands the versatility of the DEG, and especially, a sun-raindrop dual-mode energy harvester is demonstrated by hybridizing the WE-DEG and photovoltaic (PV) cell. This hybridization effectively addresses the weather-dependent limitations inherent in each energy harvester and enhances the temperature-induced inefficiencies typically observed in PV cells, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency. The introduction of the WE will be poised to catalyze new developments in DEG research, paving the way for broader applicability and enhanced efficiency in droplet energy harvesting technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmin Jang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Soban Ali Shah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumin Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongik Kam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonsang Ra
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghan Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Muhammad Ramzan Khawar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeon Yoo
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Awais Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Lahore, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | - Dongwhi Choi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea
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Jiang F, Zhan L, Lee JP, Lee PS. Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Fluid Medium: From Fundamental Mechanisms toward Multifunctional Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308197. [PMID: 37842933 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Fluid-based triboelectric nanogenerators (FB-TENGs) are at the forefront of promising energy technologies, demonstrating the ability to generate electricity through the dynamic interaction between two dissimilar materials, wherein at least one is a fluidic medium (such as gas or liquid). By capitalizing on the dynamic and continuous properties of fluids and their interface interactions, FB-TENGs exhibit a larger effective contact area and a longer-lasting triboelectric effect in comparison to their solid-based counterparts, thereby affording longer-term energy harvesting and higher-precision self-powered sensors in harsh conditions. In this review, various fluid-based mechanical energy harvesters, including liquid-solid, gas-solid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid TENGs, have been systematically summarized. Their working mechanism, optimization strategies, respective advantages and applications, theoretical and simulation analysis, as well as the existing challenges, have also been comprehensively discussed, which provide prospective directions for device design and mechanism understanding of FB-TENGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiang
- Institute of Flexible Electronics Technology of Tsinghua, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, 314000, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Liuxiang Zhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Jin Pyo Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Pooi See Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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