Water Droplet-Based Nanogenerators

Water is one of the most sustainable resources in the world, offering an abundance of hydro energy. Getting a large amount of electricity through conventional water energy harvesting is expensive, with complex mechanisms and bulky installation systems. In the case of the small amount of energy for some portable electronic devices and sensor systems, water droplet harvesting as a sustainable energy resource has become a forward-looking step to meet the future demand for green energy. The ultimate demand for green energy in the future requires all the possible sustainable energy sources surrounding human society. The emerging potential of water droplet-driven energy-harvesting nanogenerators can meet a significant portion of the green energy demand. In this review, the recent developments in droplets-driven nanogenerators for effective energy scavenging is summarized. It also includes an extensive discussion about the device structures from the material selection and output performance aspects. This review also gives a brief discussion on the applications of droplet-based nanogenerators and outlines the future possibilities via the current improvement in designs and fabrication strategies that have been introduced by the field.

Automated summary

Water droplet-driven energy-harvesting nanogenerators have emerged as a sustainable energy resource that can meet the future demand for green energy. This review summarizes the recent developments in droplets-driven nanogenerators, discusses the device structures and applications, and outlines the future possibilities.