Power-generating shoe insole based on triboelectric nanogenerators for self-powered consumer electronics

A major application of energy-harvesting technology is to power portable and wearable consumer electronics. We report a packaged power-generating insole with built-in flexible multi-layered triboelectric nanogenerators that enable harvesting mechanical pressure during normal walking. Using the insole as a direct power source, we develop a fully packaged self-lighting shoe that has broad applications for display and entertainment purposes. Furthermore, a prototype of a wearable charging gadget is introduced for charging portable consumer electronics, such as cellphones. This work presents a successful initial attempt in applying energy-harvesting technology for self-powered electronics in our daily life, which will have broad impact on people's living style in the near future. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.