A turbine disk-type triboelectric nanogenerator for wind energy harvesting and self-powered wildfire pre-warning

• Published in: Materials today energy 2021-12, Vol.22, p.100867, Article 100867
• Main Authors: Gao, Xiaobo, Xing, Fangjing, Guo, Feng, Yang, Yuhan, Hao, Yutao, Chen, Jun, Chen, Baodong, Wang, Zhong Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distributed energy; Early-warning system; Energy conversion; Self-powered sensing; Triboelectrification
• ISSN: 2468-6069; 2468-6069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2021.100867

We report a new type of turbine disk-type triboelectric nanogenerator (TD-TENG) to effectively convert small-scale wind energy into electricity. A unique double-floor TENG has been designed and its configuration has been carefully optimized by applying different polymer layers, contact areas, and opening angles. With an optimized contact area of 83 cm2, the TD-TENG delivers an open-circuit voltage of 230 V, a short-circuit current of 9 μA, and a peak power of 0.37 mW under an external load of 7 MΩ. Based on the TD-TENG, a self-powered wildfire pre-warning system has been constructed for temperature and fire monitoring. Such new TD-TENGs represent a promising sustainable energy solution for distributed electronics in the era of Internet of things. [Display omitted] •A unique turbine disk-type triboelectric nanogenerator (TD-TENG) is designed for harvesting wind energy near the ground.•It demonstrates overwhelming durability and electrical output performances for harvesting breeze near the ground.•A distributed self-powered warning system has been demonstrated for prairies fire prevention.