RESUMO
In recent years, the implementation of energy-harvesting technology in medical equipment has attracted significant interest owing to its potential for self-powered and smart healthcare systems. Herein, the integration of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is proposed into an inhaler for energy-harvesting and smart inhalation monitoring. For this initially, barium sodium niobium oxide (Ba2NaNb5O15) microparticles (BNNO MPs) are synthesized via a facile solid-state synthesis process. The BNNO MPs with ferroelectricity and high dielectric constant are incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to make BNNO/PDMS composite films (CFs) for TENG fabrication. The fabricated TENG is operated in a contact-separation mode, and its electrical output performance is compared to establish the optimal BNNO MPs concentration. Furthermore, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), a conductive filler material, are used to enhance the electrical conductivity of the CFs, thereby improving the electrical output performance of the TENG. The robustness/durability of the proposed BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS CF-based TENG are investigated. The proposed TENG device is demonstrated to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motions via regular human activities and power portable electronics. The TENG is integrated into the inhaler casing to count the number of sprays remaining in the canister, send the notification to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and harvest energy.
RESUMO
Triboelectric nanogenerators are an emerging energy-scavenging technology that can harvest kinetic energy from various mechanical moments into electricity. The energy generated while humans walk is the most commonly available biomechanical energy. Herein, a multistage consecutively-connected hybrid nanogenerator (HNG) is fabricated and combined with a flooring system (MCHCFS) to efficiently harvest mechanical energy while humans walk. Initially, the electrical output performance of the HNG is optimized by fabricating a prototype device using various strontium-doped barium titanate (Ba1- x Srx TiO3 , BST) microparticles loaded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films. The BST/PDMS composite film acts as a negative triboelectric layer that operates against aluminum. Single HNG operated in contact-separation mode could generate an electrical output of ≈280 V, ≈8.5 µA, and ≈90 µC m-2 . The stability and robustness of the fabricated HNG are confirmed and eight similar HNGs are assembled in a 3D-printed MCHCFS. The MCHCFS is specifically designed to distribute applied force on the single HNG to four nearby HNGs. The MCHCFS can be implemented in real-life floors with an enlarged surface area to harvest energy generated while humans walk into direct current electrical output. The MCHCFS is demonstrated as a touch sensor that can be utilized in sustainable path lighting to save enormous electricity waste.
RESUMO
Recent advancements in flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have widely focused on converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to power small wearable electronic gadgets and sensors. To effectively achieve this, an efficient energy-converted power management circuit is required. Herein, we report on Aurivillius-type strontium bismuth titanate (SrBi4Ti4O15) nanoparticles (SBT NPs)-loaded polyglucosamine (PGA) composite film-based flexible TENG to be used for energy harvesting/storage and biomechanical applications. Initially, SBT NPs were synthesized and then, different weight concentrations were loaded into PGA. The TENG devices were fabricated using different wt % composite films (SBT/PGA) and polydimethylsiloxane as positive and negative triboelectric layers, respectively, and aluminum was used as a conductive electrode attached to two tribo films. To evaluate the electrical output from the device, contact-separation operation mode was used. An optimized TENG consisting of 2 wt % SBT/PGA composite film produced the maximum electrical output voltage and current of approximately â¼239 V and â¼7.5 µA, respectively. Efficient TENG energy harvesting and storage circuits have been proposed for storing charges in capacitors and for operating electronic gadgets. The optimized TENG was employed to generate electrical energy from various biomechanical movements. Thereafter, the biodegradability of the composite film was also tested. The fabricated films were completely biodegraded within a few hours. Furthermore, the TENG was utilized as a tap-indication transducer for multipurpose switching applications.