Flexure hinges based triboelectric nanogenerator by 3D printing

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been developed as an effective way to harvest mechanical energy, which is expected for application in mechanical components. In this study, we report a kind of flexure hinges based triboelectric nanogenerator (FH-TENG) by 3D printing with great structural integration and stability. Based on the flexure hinges as a mechanical elastomer, the FH-TENG can convert mechanical energy into electricity by utilizing the contact electrification between fluorinated ethylene propylene and copper films. For a two-layer FH-TENG, it can deliver a maximal output voltage of 191 V and an instantaneous output power of 64 mu W on the external load of 210 M Omega at a frequency of 0.8 Hz and a force of similar to 20 N. The output performances of the FH-TENGs with different layers, areas, minimum thicknesses and radii of the flexure hinges substrate are also systematically studied and discussed. Furthermore, as an alternative design, the FH-TENG has been integrated into a bearing pedestal, which can not only harvest mechanical energy from the shaft radial movement, but also be applied as a self-powered axis deviation sensor. This work has provided potential applications of the TENG for mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered damage monitoring in mechanical systems. (c) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.