Publication: Investigation of raindrop energy harvesting from triboelectric nanogenerators based on printed circuit board (PCB) technology
Loading...
Date
2023-08
Authors
Chong, Yiliang
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The need for sustainable and efficient energy sources has led to the development of various energy harvesting technologies that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Raindrop energy harvesting is a promising approach for generating electrical energy from a natural and abundant source, which can be useful in remote or off-grid locations. Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) are a type of energy harvester that can generate electrical energy from a variety of mechanical sources, including raindrops. TENGs use the triboelectric effect to generate electrical energy by utilizing the charge transfer between two materials that are in contact and then separated. TENGs offer several advantages over other energy harvesting technologies, such as low-cost, high-power density, and scalability. In this context, this study focuses on the analysis of raindrop energy harvesting using a TENG fabricated using Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology. The study investigates the effects of several variables on the performance of the TENG, including the number of syringes, angle of inclination, pattern of electrode, material and thickness of the Perfluorinated Polymer Film (PPF), and infusion rate. The research successfully designed and fabricated a TENG based on Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology tailored for raindrop energy harvesting. By manipulating the identified variables, the TENG's performance was optimized, resulting in improved voltage and current outputs. The findings indicated that the pattern 1electrode yielded better results in terms of current and voltage generation compared to the pattern 2 electrode. Furthermore, the use of FEP material with a thickness of 50 µm showed higher performance compared to PTFE material and a thickness of 25 µm respectively. Additionally, the TENG equipped with two syringes and operated at a 30 degree inclination angle exhibited superior performance. These findings contribute to the field of raindrop energy harvesting and provide valuable insights for future research and development in TENG technology. The optimized TENG design offers promising potential for sustainable energy generation from raindrops, addressing the increasing demand for clean and renewable energy sources