Sub-watt power triboelectric generator via polarization switching charge carrier

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENGs) is one of the promising energy harvesting methods, and is expected to serve as primary power source. Nevertheless, previous TENGs were only able to generate low-current outputs. Even when energy management systems (EMSs) are used for TENGs, electrical losses occurred owing to complicated EMS circuits. Accordingly, high-mechanical inputs were still necessary to match power levels for existing electronics. Therefore, film capacitor-based charge-carrier TENGs (FCC-TENGs) are fabricated herein. These can be easily utilized for various circuits owing to their ultrahigh output with low input. As film capacitor-covered charge-carrier cylinders are rolling, FCC-TENGs can produce high voltage and current outputs of about 5000 V and 10 A, respectively, and can effectively reduce friction and wear. By loading external load, the root mean square power of FCC-TENG is measured up to 720 mW. Given the generated outputs, FCC-TENG can be used as primary power source for several power supply circuits that can turn on 12 commercial 5 W light-emitting diodes, power electric device, and charge lithium-ion battery. • Can produce ultrahigh voltage and current outputs of about 5000 V and 10 A and generate RMS power of 720 mW with external load • Easily optimized by using a simple energy management system circuit • Effectively reduce friction and wear by rolling film capacitor covered charge-carrier cylinders • Hand-operatable device that can turn on light-emitting diodes, power electric device, and charge lithium-ion battery with various electrical circuits