A self-powered soft triboelectric-electrohydrodynamic pump

Fangming Li, Shuowen Sun, Xingfu Wan, Minzheng Sun, Steven L. Zhang () and Minyi Xu ()
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Fangming Li: Dalian Maritime University
Shuowen Sun: Dalian Maritime University
Xingfu Wan: Dalian Maritime University
Minzheng Sun: Dalian Maritime University
Steven L. Zhang: Georgia Institute of Technology
Minyi Xu: Dalian Maritime University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Soft pumps have the potential to transform industries including soft robotics, wearable devices, microfluidics and biomedical devices, but their efficiency and power supply limitations hinder prolonged operation. Here, we report a self-powered triboelectric-electrohydrodynamic pump, which combines a soft electrohydrodynamic pump driven by an electrostatic generator, specifically a triboelectric nanogenerator. The triboelectric nanogenerator collects ambient energy and converts it into high-voltage power source, allowing it to self-power an electrohydrodynamic pump and thus eliminating the need for external power supply. Using power management circuit, geometric shape optimization, and stacking methods, we achieve a maximum pressure of 4.49 kPa and a maximum flow rate of 502 mL/min. We demonstrate the pump’s versatility in applications such as self-powered soft actuators, oil pumping in microfluidics, and oil purification. The triboelectric-electrohydrodynamic pump holds promising applications, and offers new insights for the development of fully self-powered systems.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56679-z

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