A Triboelectric-Electromagnetic Hybrid Nanogenerator with Broadband Working Range for Wind Energy Harvesting and a Self-Powered Wind Speed Sensor

Wind energy plays an increasingly important role in alleviating the shortage of fossil fuel energy because of the emerging promising technologies such as electromagnetic generators (EMGs), triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), and their hybrid nanogenerators, but only part of wind energy can be effectively converted into electricity. Here, a triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid nanogenerator (FTEHG) is reported with wide working range of wind speed for effectively harvesting various levels of wind energy, such as breezes and moderate and strong wind. It is verified that the FTEHG can effectively integrate the superiority of EMG at high frequency and TENG at low frequency, enhancing the entire energy output performance and broadening the working range of wind speed from 1.55 to 15 m s(-1). The FTEHG has been demonstrated to successfully and continuously power a digital thermometer and was used as a self-powered wind speed sensor, which has application prospect in comprehensive weather monitoring with a self-powered and real-time manner.

Automated summary

The triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid nanogenerator (FTEHG) effectively harvests various levels of wind energy, broadening the working range of wind speed and showing potential for self-powered weather monitoring applications.