A Capsule-Shaped Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Health Monitoring of Traffic Facilities

Structure health monitoring is very essential for the safe operation of traffic facilities, like bridges and railways. However, establishing real-time monitoring and early event detection with a simple sensor device that does not require an external power supply remains a crucial challenge. Here, a self-powered sensor based on a capsule-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (CS-TENG) with a cavity structure is constructed to monitor the structural health of the traffic. With an open-circuit voltage of 30.3 V and a high sensitivity to distance (precise to 1 mm) and pressure (0.86 V/kPa), the CS-TENG manifests superb performance and long service life. A self-powered bridge health monitoring system and a turnout monitoring system are proposed based on the CS-TENG, and the practicability of CS-TENG in the application of the above monitoring system is also investigated on the spot. Benefiting from the characteristic of the CS-TENG, negligible changes in external forces can be detected, and the state of traffic facilities may be recognized in real-time. Then, the real-time results can be displayed to alert personnel to issues with bridges and other road infrastructure, revealing its potential for smart traffic facilities.