Triboelectric nanogenerators : biomechanical energy harvesting, self powered sensor and wearable applications

One of the biggest challenges ahead massive advancement of electronic tech-nology is increasing energy consumption. A closer consideration on draining of fossil reserves and rapid development of wearable and portable consumer elec-tronics, inevitable paradigm shift is required towards use of renewable energy sources and self-powered electronic systems respectively. In parallel to this con-sideration, triboelectric nanogenerators have emerged to scavenge energy from ambient environment by using ubiquitous phenomenon of triboelectricity or con-tact electrification in other words. Essentially, triboelectric nanogenerators har-vest mechanical energy into electricity by utilizing triboelectric charge generation and electrostatic induction phenomenon. Accordingly, we developed high perfor-mance biomechanical energy harvesting floor tiles to scavenge human motions into electricity and electrode core-polymer shell structured triboelectric nanogen-erator fibers for wearable applications. Furthermore, new perspectives are intro-duced for fabrications of low-cost, mass producible, large area and flexible tribo-electric nanogenerator structures.