Bionic self-powered wireless sensor devices based on triboelectric nanogenerator for river ecosystem monitoring

Current sensors used for river monitoring, especially devices targeting low-flow rivers, still face challenges such as high costs, difficulties in supplying power, and limited measurement ranges. This study describes a Bionic self-powered wireless sensor device based on triboelectric nanogenerator. This economical method successfully overcomes the drawbacks of traditional sensors by combining a triboelectric nanogenerator with a turbine inspired by fish biology. At 0.5 m/s flow velocity, the bio-inspired turbine exhibits 56.1 % more instantaneous torque than hybrid turbines, allowing for precise low-flow monitoring (0.1–3 m/s range) with 0.995 R2. Its simplified design and small 50 mm TENG component save production costs while preserving measuring accuracy. In order to provide thorough environmental monitoring, the system also includes integrated temperature and humidity sensors and solar panels for self-powering. This invention, which combines bionic engineering and triboelectric nanogenerator technology, offers an environmentally beneficial way to manage water resources, especially in low-velocity settings where conventional sensors function poorly. Energy harvesting and flow sensing are accomplished simultaneously by the integrated design, which is a helpful development in environmental monitoring infrastructure.