On March 18, the Beijing Institute of Nano-Energy and Systems, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, held a demonstration event showcasing the latest advancements in triboelectric power generation technology. During the exhibition, Academician Wang Zhonglin led his research team in demonstrating various friction-based energy devices, including a rotary DC triboelectric generator, a brake power simulator, and a wind-powered triboelectric generator. These innovations allowed attendees to experience a new way of generating electricity through simple, everyday movements.
The concept is simple yet revolutionary: every action—whether speaking, walking, or touching—can generate electricity. This technology enables the human body to function as a micro-generator, directly powering portable and wearable electronics. Even raindrops, waving flags, and the sound of machinery can be transformed into usable energy. The goal is to collect and convert even the smallest forms of energy around us, making "powering up" more accessible than ever before.
Wang Zhonglin emphasized that this represents a major shift in how we think about energy use. “This is a revolutionary change in energy consumption,†he said. “I believe this invention has the potential to transform people’s lives and bring it to the world.†He explained that future mobile phone charging might not require finding a socket, but instead rely on the energy generated from footsteps. On average, a person produces about 67 watts of energy per day, with 11 watts being convertible into electricity.
The triboelectric generator was first developed by Wang Zhonglin in January 2012. Unlike traditional electromagnetic generators, it uses the coupling of triboelectric charging and electrostatic induction, along with thin-layer electrode designs, to produce efficient electrical output.
The latest innovation, the Rotary DC Triboelectric Nanogenerator, overcomes previous limitations such as low current output and high voltage. By patterning the friction surface and using a rotational mechanism, the device now achieves a stable output of 3 mA and up to 1.5 watts of power. This allows for real-time power supply to small electronic devices.
With nanotechnology, materials like clothing, paper, and even plastic bottles can be turned into energy-generating devices. Surface treatments enhance the specific surface area of these materials, increasing the output current by one to four orders of magnitude.
Recent developments have brought triboelectric technology closer to industrial application. It is expected to play a significant role in green energy solutions, particularly in harvesting tiny energy sources on a large scale.
For example, a tidal energy collection device could turn a table tennis table into a power generator. Placing nets in 5 meters of seawater, a one-square-kilometer sea surface could generate megawatts of electricity.
In emergency situations, such as plane crashes or earthquakes, individuals could use self-generated power to send rescue signals. A glove-based triboelectric generator, demonstrated at the event, can harness energy from arm movements or even the motion of a skirt. This could provide critical location information during disasters.
Wang Zhonglin noted that triboelectric generators are lightweight, compact, and cost-effective, making them ideal for mass production. The technology has already attracted interest from over 10 companies, with sensors and mobile phones expected to be among the first commercial applications.
As this groundbreaking technology continues to evolve, it promises to reshape how we interact with energy in our daily lives.
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