A columnar multi-layer sliding triboelectric nanogenerator for water wave energy harvesting independent of wave height and direction

The ocean, with its highly variable and complex meteorological conditions, harbors enormous renewable resources. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which possess unique advantages, show exciting prospects in water wave energy collection. How to design and optimize TENGs to cover all characteristic water wave energies and achieve efficient energy utilization is emergent. In this paper, we carefully designed and fabricated a columnar multi-layer sliding TENG (CMLS-TENG) that can harvest water wave energy independent of wave height and direction. Drive rods with a hollow acrylic spherical shell were introduced to deliver wave energy, ensuring that the CMLS-TENG can work in all directions from 0° to 360°. Based on the sliding structure, switching the optimized CMLS-TENG is independent of wave heights. The optimized CMLS-TENG can achieve a total power density of 730 mW/m³ at a wave height of only 4.8 cm regardless of wave direction, which can illuminate multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide lighting and provide power to a watch and a hygrometer for temperature and humidity monitoring. This work provides new choices and hopes for the effective collection of full-range water wave energy.