An electromagnetic-triboelectric hybrid wave energy harvesting system with high-output performance based on wire-stayed structure

Currently, ocean monitoring sensors rely on batteries, which substantially limits operational duration and presents significant maintenance challenges. Wave energy harvesting offers a promising solution to address these challenges. This study presents a novel wire-stayed-based electromagnetic-triboelectric nanogenerator (WS-EM-TENG) designed for wave energy harvesting. The proposed system comprises a wire-stayed structure, a wind cup, a fixed system, a mass ball, and an encapsulated electromagnetic-triboelectric nanogenerator (EM-TENG). Wind and wave excitation cause the wire to compress and stretch, allowing the rotor to rotate without manual intervention. This mechanism enables continuous wave energy harvesting, mitigating issues associated with battery replacement and environmental pollution. The flexible wire minimizes internal mechanical wear, enhances durability and longevity, and maintains optimal system output at low frequencies. This investigation also systematically analyzes the output characteristics and stability of the proposed WS-EM-TENG. Additionally, we develop a power management module (PMM) to transform the stochastic power output of the WS-EM-TENG into a stable direct current (DC) ideal for low-power sensors. Experimental results show that the electromagnetic generator (EMG) module in the WS-EM-TENG has a peak output power of 2.1379 W and a power density of 50 W/m³. In contrast, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) module attains 2.059 mW and 53 mW/m³, respectively. These findings substantiate the feasibility and practicality of the WS-EM-TENG hybrid generator as a viable power source for monitoring sensors.