Aerodynamic and aeroelastic flutters driven triboelectric nanogenerators for harvesting broadband airflow energy

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Aerodynamic and aeroelastic flutter-driven triboelectric nanogenerators are successfully used to harvest broadband airflow energy. The unit component of the flutter membrane consists of thin, free-standing Al foil electrodes covered on both sides with electrospun poly(vinyl chloride) nanofiber-structured mats, which provide advantageous tribo-surfaces specifically to increase the friction area. The airflow-induced triboelectric power generation from a single unit of the flutter-membrane-based triboelectric nanogenerator (FM-TENG) was up to 0.33 μW under a mild airflow condition. The use of a multi-layered triboelectric nanogenerator, fabricated by simply stacking the single units, can improve the output performance of the device. In a separate configuration, we designed a novel FM-TENG structure by mounting an aeroelastic flutter-belt adapted for use with a flutter-membrane energy-harvester. A rubber belt, which was sandwiched between the flutter membranes, created a rapid periodic vibrational mode via aeroelastic fluttering, synergistically harvesting triboelectric energy with the application of a constant air stream through the closed channel of the FM-TENG. Thus, our flutter-membrane-based approach creates a sustainable and cost-efficient energy harvesting system for collecting broadband airflow energy. Furthermore, the aerodynamic and aeroelastic FM-TENG have great potential to be used in numerous areas of self-powered electronic systems and in-situ wireless sensor applications for automobiles or aircraft.