A power generation roadbed based on direct current triboelectric nanogenerators for human kinetic energy harvesting

ABSTRACT As the foundation of intelligent cities, many intelligent sensors require energy to support their work, such as batteries. Harnessing energy from the environment or human movement is a viable solution to this issue. The device which collects this part of energy and convert it into electric energy, can supply electricity to electrical appliances. This research proposes a human kinetic energy collection device based on a direct current triboelectric nanogenerator. Compared to the traditional TENG, the spinning energy collector triboelectric nanogenerator (SEC-TENG) can directly output direct current without a rectifier unit. By combining the SEC-TENG with the rack and pinion mechanism, the vertical motion can convert into rotary motion to drive the SEC-TENG to generate electric energy. The best-matched impedance of the device is 1 MΩ, and the device has a power generation performance of 450 V open circuit voltage and 11 µA short circuit current at a rotational speed of 300 r/min. The device can collect the kinetic energy of human footsteps and pedaling actions as a power generation roadbed, which provides electricity to the sensors on the roadside. It provides a potential energy supply plan for constructing intelligent cities.