An inductor-free auto-power-management design built-in triboelectric nanogenerators. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zi, Yunlong; Guo, Hengyu; Wang, Jie; Wen, Zhen; Li, Shengming; Hu, Chenguo; Wang, Zhong Lin
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 31(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Triboelectric nanogenerator -- Power management -- Energy harvesting -- Self-powered system; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2016.11.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has the output characteristics of high voltage but low current/charge-transfer, making its low efficiency in powering most of electronics. To address this problem, power management circuits consisting of coupled inductors or transformers are usually employed. Here we report an inductor-free, auto-power-management design based on automatic switches between serial-connected and parallel-connected capacitors in a rationally designed manner, so that the output voltage can be lowered and the output charge is enhanced in proportion. In conjunction to theoretical analysis, a TENG along with proof-of-concept power-management units as automatically driven by the triggering motion for TENG is fabricated, which improves the rate for charging a supercapacitor by 5 times. Compared to previous work, this power-management design shows advantages of capability for harvesting low power/frequency scale energy, high scalability, and light weight, which paves a new approach for achieving high-efficient portable TENG-based self-powered system. Graphical abstract: A schematic diagram showing the structure of a TENG with the proposed built-in power-management unit, which improves the charging rate for 5 times. Highlights: An inductor-free power-management principle based on automatic switches between serial-connected and parallel-connected capacitor is proposed for TENG. A motion-triggered power-management unit built-in TENG is fabricated, with 5 times charging rate demonstrated. We also identifies advantages of this power-management unit including capability for harvesting low power/frequency scale energy, high scalability, and light weight. This design will pave a new approach for achieving high-efficient portable TENG-based self-powered system.