Recently, Prof. Du Zuliang group’s report “Managing and Optimizing the Output Performances of a Triboelectric Nanogenerator by a Self-Powered Electrostatic Vibrator Switch” was published on Nano Energy. (Nano Energy, 2018, 46, 220-228.) (IF=12.343)

Article link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211285518300740

This work demonstrates that a TENG system with a self-powered switch has been established by using an electrostatic vibrator switch, in which the switch's vibrating is driven by the potential difference of TENG itself. Studies have shown that by matching the vibration frequency of the switch and the frequency of TENG, the optimal output of the generator can be achieved. In addition, compared with the same TENG without a switch, the electrostatic vibration switch-type one has a stronger charging capability, and its stored energy within 15 s is 1800 times that of conventional ones. Furthermore, a power management system is formed by combining the TENG with electrostatic vibration switching, and the system is confirmed to have stronger driving ability. The self-powered vibrator switch demonstrated here has promising applications in enhancing TENG's output performances and developing power management circuit.

Recently, Prof. Du Zuliang group’s report “The Triboelectric Nanogenerator with a Self-Powered Air Discharge Switch for Output Power Management and UV Light Photodetector” was published on Nano Energy. (Nano Energy, 2018, 44, 208-216. ) (IF=12.343, District JCR)

Article link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211285517307516

This work demonstrates that a self-powered air discharge switch with a tip-plate configuration is developed, in which the switch's on/off state is controlled by the voltage of the TENG itself. The electric output of TENG can be enhanced and modulated by changing the tip-plate distance of the switch. Studies have shown that adjusting the distance between two discharge electrodes can change the mode of operation of the switch, while in the arc discharge mode, the output performance of TENG has been greatly improved. In addition, it is found that the UV light can change the switch from an arc discharge mode to a corona discharge mode, which increases the equivalent resistance of the switch and decreases the output current of the TENG. The current ratio of this UV detector reaches 18.6, and the lowest detectable light intensity is 26.2 μW/cm². This work provides a new idea for the output energy management of friction nanogenerators and has a good application prospect in self-powered sensors.