The Current Development and Future Outlook of Triboelectric Nanogenerators: A Survey of Literature

Triboelectric nanogenerators are devices that effectively convert ambient mechanical energy into electricity, which can be used as a power source or a sensor signal. Since first proposed by Dr. Zhong Lin Wang in 2012, the development of triboelectric nanogenerators has grown rapidly. Herein, the development of the triboelectric nanogenerator and its global impact is investigated by analyzing the statistical publication numbers and the geographic distribution of the publications. In addition, this article also features the main applications of triboelectric nanogenerators such as blue energy, self-powered sensor/systems, and micro-/nanoenergy, and points out its future outlook. Several challenges and fundamental physical questions are also discussed to provide a more comprehensive view of this revolutionary technology.