Wind-Driven Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Scavenging Biomechanical Energy

The wind-driven triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), considered as one of the most important tributaries of the TENG family, possesses high-frequency signals and remarkable output power. Herein, a wind-driven TENG, employing silver nanowires (Ag NWs) and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) as triboelectric materials, was designed with a purpose to act as a power unit to replace batteries in some wearable devices. Under a wind speed of 20 m/s, the as-fabricated TENG could generate an output voltage, current, and power of up to 150 V, 7.5 μA, and 0.18 mW, respectively. Wind-driven TENGs were integrated into three types of self-powered devices (i.e., shoe, bracelet, and mask) to play roles as energy sources due to the high output power and high-frequency signals. The wearable devices were utilized to monitor different motion states (e.g., walking, jogging, and running) at various body positions. These prototypes of self-powered wearable devices could offer new approaches to protecting our environment and improving the quality of human life.