Simplified Process for Manufacturing Macroscale Patterns to Enhance Voltage Generation by a Triboelectric Generator

Jun-Ho Yang, Young-Keun Kim and Jae Young Lee
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Jun-Ho Yang: Department of Mechanical and Control Engineering, Handong Global University, Pohang 558, Korea
Young-Keun Kim: Department of Mechanical and Control Engineering, Handong Global University, Pohang 558, Korea
Jae Young Lee: Department of Mechanical and Control Engineering, Handong Global University, Pohang 558, Korea

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: This paper proposes a simple, yet effective and affordable, manufacturing process to enhance the overall efficiency of voltage generation by a triboelectric generator (TEG) using 3D printers for energy-harvesting applications. The proposed method can be classified as macroscale surface patterning, in contrast to micro- and nanoscale patterning of TEG proposed in previous studies. Experiments were conducted using a designed test-bed system that allowed the control of external factors, such as the magnitude and frequency of the frictional force and the relative humidity, and an output voltage increase of up to 67% was obtained from a TEG with macroscale patterns that increased the surface area by 14%. The peak voltage generated by the TEG was as high as 18 V, and the addition of a designed analog circuit that uses no external power enabled storage of a DC voltage of 0.4 V. In comparison with previous methods that employ micro- or nanoscale patterns, the proposed patterning method is faster and more suitable for mass production.

Keywords: triboelectric generator; energy harvest; 3D printer patterning; voltage generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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