Multifunctional triboelectric nanogenerator based on porous micro-nickel foam to harvest mechanical energy

A novel triboelectronic nanogenerator (TENG) based on porous micro-nickel foam with the positive polarity, was designed rationally to harness ambient vibration and footfalls. This TENG generated the power output of 9.3 mW and power density of 3.7 W/m2 at the resonance frequency of 13.9 Hz by harvesting vibrational energy. Additionally, by the footfalls force of about 500 N, the corresponding open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current were as high as 403 V and 336 μA, respectively. The newly designed TENG should be the potential applications for the self-powdered floor and also for powering some wireless electronics by harvesting the vibration energy from highways, railways, and tunnels in remote mountain areas.