Bistable broadband hybrid generator for ultralow-frequency rectilinear motion. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deng, Huaxia; Ye, Jingchang; Du, Yu; Zhang, Jin; Ma, Mengchao; Zhong, Xiang
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 65(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Energy harvesting -- Nonlinear -- Low frequency -- Broadband -- Linear generator; 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.2019.103973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: In the natural environment, rectilinear motions normally take the form of low-frequency and broadband vibrations. This poses problems for devices aimed at harvesting energy from these motions, since conventional linear electromagnetic generators are inefficient under such conditions. Here we present a bistable triboelectric linear generator (BTLG) with nonlinear characteristics for low-frequency and broadband energy harvesting. In this device, a nonlinear structure is used to achieve the bistable contact–separation motion to widen the working bandwidth as well as enhance the energy harvesting efficiency in low-frequency range. Piezoelectric components are also used in the device without increasing the complexity of the structure, which can compensate for the defects that the contact-separation mode triboelectric nanogenerator cannot work at a small amplitude. Experiments show that a 10 μ F capacitor can be charged to 0.12 V in 60 s at an ultralow frequency of 0.1 Hz. The frequency bandwidth of the BTLG is greatly broadened to 441% compared with a linear device. The proposed BTLG is capable of harvesting mechanical energy at low frequency with large working bandwidth, thus providing a effective method for energy harvesting of ambient low-frequency rectilinear motions. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: We realized bistable C-S mode TENGs for the first time, which widen the working bandwidth of the device to 441%. A generator is proposed to harvest the energy of rectilinear motion in ultralow frequencies below 1 Hz, even at 0.1 Hz. The design of hybrid generator compensates the defects that C-S TENGs cannot work in the small amplitude. Two modes of work for energy harvesting under different environmental vibration conditions are considered and researched.