Honeycomb-like three electrodes based triboelectric generator for harvesting energy in full space and as a self-powered vibration alertor

A novel honeycomb-like triboelectric generator (HTEG) based on three electrodes has been designed for harvesting mechanical energy in full space. It has symmetric and periodic arrangement of the three electrodes in plane or on the inner surface of ball, which can harvest sliding energy along arbitrary direction without off state because each electrode is always surrounded by the electrodes different from itself. Meanwhile, the device can effectively scavenge ambient vibration energy as an independent generator in full space by working at both contact-separation mode and sliding mode without contacting with the ground. The maximum output current density, voltage and power density can reach 16.4 mA/m2, 413 V, and 2.1 W/m(2), respectively, by working in plane sliding mode, and the maximum output current to be 0.55 IJA by working in sliding mode on an inner surface of a spherical shell. The HTEG can charge a 100 uf commercial capacitor to 2.1 V in 80s. The football-like HTEG is used as a vibration alertor, which could be applied in vibration monitor or geologic hazard alertor for bridges and buildings. The idea of multi-electrode in HTEGs would be an effective strategy to achieve multi-function in scavenging energy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.