Triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered traffic monitoring

This work aims to create energy-harvesting composites using poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) EVA, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and polyaniline (PANI) composites. The novelty lies in the fabrication of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) using EVA-PZT-PANI composites. These composites combine the flexibility of EVA polymer with the electricity-generating power of PZT ceramic and the conductivity of PANI. Systematic investigation of the structural, electrical, and microstructural properties of these composites is carried out to optimize their energy-harvesting performance. Among various compositions, the EVP3 device demonstrates exceptional output, generating a peak voltage of 17.8 V and a current of 190 nA at 2 Hz and 5 N applied force. The TENG demonstrates its versatility in harvesting energy from various sources by powering capacitors and collecting energy from human motions. Moreover, we show the potential application of the TENG for real-time traffic monitoring. By embedding the TENG into roads, we can measure car speeds and serve as a traffic management counter, opening up new possibilities for self-powered intelligent transportation systems.