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Triboelectric nanogenerators: Fundamental physics and potential applications

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  • Published: 17 April 2020
  • Volume 8, pages 481–506, (2020)
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Triboelectric nanogenerators: Fundamental physics and potential applications
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  • Linglin Zhou1,2,
  • Di Liu1,2,
  • Jie Wang1,2 &
  • …
  • Zhong Lin Wang1,3 

  • 9651 Accesses

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Abstract

Based on the conjunction of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can harvest mechanical energy dispersed in our environment. With the characteristics of simple structure, light weight, broad material availability, low cost, and high efficiency even at low operation frequency, TENG can serve as a promising alternative strategy for meeting the needs of distributed energy for the internet of things and network. The major potential applications of TENG can be summarized as four fields containing micro/nano power sources, self-powered sensors, large-scale blue energy, and direct high-voltage power sources. In this paper, the fundamental physics, output performance enhancement, and applications of TENGs are reviewed to timely summarize the development of TENGs and provide a guideline for future research.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Key R & D Project from Minister of Science and Technology (2016YFA0202704), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61774016, 21773009, 51432005, 5151101243, and 51561145021), and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019M660587). The authors thank our group members and collaborators for their contribution to the development of TENG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Linglin Zhou, Di Liu, Jie Wang & Zhong Lin Wang

  2. College of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Linglin Zhou, Di Liu & Jie Wang

  3. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    Zhong Lin Wang

Authors
  1. Linglin Zhou
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  2. Di Liu
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  3. Jie Wang
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  4. Zhong Lin Wang
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Correspondence to Jie Wang or Zhong Lin Wang.

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Linglin ZHOU. She received her Ph.D. degree from University of Science and Technology of China in 2018. Now she is a postdoctoral fellow in Beijing Institute of Nano-energy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Her current research focuses on the improvement of triboelectric nanogenerators and their applications in environmental pollutants treatment.

Di LIU. He received his B.S. degree in material science and engineering from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. Now he is a Ph.D. candidate in Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. His current research interest is triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and self-powered systems.

Jie WANG. He received his Ph.D. degree from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2008, China. He is currently a professor at Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. His current research interests focus on supercapacitors, nanogenerators, and self-powered system.

Zhong Lin WANG. He is the hightower chair in materials science and engineering and Regents' Professor at Georgia Tech, and founding director of the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, China. Dr. Wang pioneered the field of nanogenerators and self-powered sensors, and coined piezotronics and piezo-phototronics for the third-generation semiconductors.

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Zhou, L., Liu, D., Wang, J. et al. Triboelectric nanogenerators: Fundamental physics and potential applications. Friction 8, 481–506 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0390-3

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  • Received: 24 February 2020

  • Revised: 26 March 2020

  • Accepted: 27 March 2020

  • Published: 17 April 2020

  • Issue Date: June 2020

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0390-3

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Keywords

  • contact electrification
  • self-powered system
  • energy harvesting
  • triboelectric nanogenerator
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