Triboelectric nanogenerator
A generator includes a first member, a second member and a sliding mechanism. The first member includes a first electrode and a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode. The first dielectric layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The second member includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second member includes a second electrode. The second member is disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sliding mechanism is configured to cause relative lateral movement between the first member and the second member, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
1. A generator, comprising
(a) a first member, including:
(i) a first electrode; and
(ii) a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode, the first dielectric layer including a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series, the first dielectric layer including a first grating of evenly spaced apart ridges and troughs, each of the ridges and each of the troughs having a common width;
(b) a second member that includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating, the second member including a second electrode, the second member disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second member including a second grating of evenly spaced apart ridges and troughs, each of the ridges and each of the troughs having a common width so that the width of the troughs of the second member is equal to the width of the ridges of the first dielectric layer and so that the width of the ridges of the second member is equal to the width of the troughts of the first dielectric layer; and
(c) a sliding mechanism configured to cause lateral relative motion between the first member against the second member along a first direction, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
2. The generator of claim 1 , further comprising:
(a) a first rigid substrate to which the first member is affixed; and
(b) a second rigid substrate to which the second member is affixed.
3. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the first member is substantially planar and wherein the second member is substantially planar and parallel to the first member.
4. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode comprises a metal, wherein the first dielectric layer comprises PTFE and wherein the second member comprises aluminum.
5. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the second member further includes a second dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer having the second rating on the triboelectric series and disposed against the first dielectric layer.
6. The generator of claim 5 , wherein the first dielectric layer comprises PTFE and wherein the second dielectric layer comprises nylon 6,6.
7. The generator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes a surface having a nanostructure texture extending therefrom.
8. The generator of claim 1 , further comprising a load electrically coupled to the first electrode and to the second electrode.