Functional triboelectric generator as self-powered vibration sensor with contact mode and non-contact mode

We demonstrated a sort of self-powered vibration sensor based on a triboelectric generator (TEG) using triboelectrification and electrostatic induction effects. The as-prepared TEG delivered an output voltage of 34.06 V and short-circuit current density of 22.5 mA/m(2) corresponding to a maximum power density of 0.77 W/m(2), which was capable of driving five LEDs directly and continuously with working frequency of 50 Hz without any rectification circuit or energy storage unit. The vibration sensor has a detection range of 0-500 Hz, and high accuracy. Besides, it could realize detection under non-contact mode, which would protect the device and the detected object in operation. Moreover, the stability and repeatability could also be well retained. The TEG based vibration sensor possessed great potential in machines operation monitoring, process control, and security applications in unreachable and access-denied extreme environments. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.