Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have developed a new type of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that utilizes limestone putty to generate electricity, offering significant cost savings compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
TENGs, which were invented in 2012, are small devices that convert mechanical or thermal energy into electricity. They are commonly used in wearable electronics, condition monitoring, and wireless sensor networks. Examples of their applications include heart monitor implants, biochip transponders for farm animals, and tire pressure sensors.
TENGs generate power by transferring an electric charge between two objects when they come into contact or slide against each other. This can be achieved through various motions such as walking, vibration, rotating tires, wind, or flowing water, with minimal impact on the environment.
The UAH breakthrough involves a new type of TENG that utilizes “tacky” materials like double-sided adhesive tape or limestone putty to generate a charge. This innovation makes the manufacturing process much simpler and more cost-effective compared to existing TENGs, which rely on expensive nanotechnology-based fabrication methods.
“Traditional TENGs require nanotechnology-based fabrication and specialized equipment,” explains Dr. Gang Wang, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UAH. “Our triboelectric energy harvester can be built with basic crafting skills.”
2023-12-04 19:41:03
Source from phys.org