Nodding Duck Structure Multi-track Directional Freestanding Triboelectric Nanogenerator toward Low-Frequency Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting

Development of ocean energy conversion technique is a strategic requirement to optimize the energy structure and expand the blue economic space. Triboelectric nanogenerator ( TENG) provides a potential approach for efficiently capturing wave energy with its unique advantages. Herein, a nodding duck structure multi-track freestanding triboelectric-layer nanogenerator (NDM-FTENG) is developed for ocean wave energy harvesting at a low-frequency range. Configuration parameters including track numbers, connection approach, oscillation frequency, and swing amplitude on electrical output performances of NDM-FTENG are systematically investigated and optimized; the maximum instantaneous power density of 4 W/m(3) is obtained by one NDM-FTENG block with 320 LEDs lighted up simultaneously. Overall, NDM-FTENG is proved to be an efficient device for driving small electronics with excellent stability and durability in a real water wave environment, and the power potential can be further magnified by combining more NDM-FTENG devices in parallel to form a network toward large-scale blue energy harvesting.

Automated summary

The development of a new ocean wave energy harvesting device NDM-FTENG has been studied, which can efficiently capture wave energy in a low-frequency range and demonstrate excellent stability and durability in a real water wave environment. Through optimization of configuration parameters, a maximum instantaneous power density of 4 W/m(3) can be achieved, with huge energy potential that can be further expanded by combining more devices in parallel for large-scale blue energy harvesting.