A humidity resistant and high performance triboelectric nanogenerator enabled by vortex-induced vibration for scavenging wind energy

Wind energy is a promising renewable energy source for a low-carbon society. This study is to develop a fully packaged vortex-induced vibration triboelectric nanogenerator (VIV-TENG) for scavenging wind energy. The VIV-TENG consists of a wind vane, internal power generation unit, an external frame, four springs, a square cylinder and a circular turntable. The internal power generation unit consists of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) balls, a honeycomb frame and two copper electrodes. Different from most of the previous wind energy harvesting TENGs, the bouncing PTFE balls are fully packaged in the square cylinder. The distinct design separates the process of contact electrification from the external environment, and at the same time avoids the frictional wear of the ordinary wind energy harvesting TENGs. The corresponding VIV parameters are investigated to evaluate their influence on the vibration behaviors and the energy output. Resonant state of the VIV-TENG corresponds to the high output performance from the VIV-TENG. The distinct, robust structure ensures the full-packaged VIV-TENG can harvest wind energy from arbitrary directions and even in undesirable weather conditions. The study proposes a novel TENG configuration for harvesting wind energy and the VIV-TENG proves promising powering micro-electro-mechanical appliances.