High-performance triboelectric nanogenerator based on a rotating-switch structure for efficient wind energy harvesting

Existing nanogenerator technologies for harvesting high-power energy from wind encounter significant challenges due to limitations in current output. Here, we propose a rotating-switch triboelectric nanogenerator (RS-TENG) that uses mechanical triggering switches (on-off-on) to enhance the instantaneous current pulses during rotation. The rotating-switch in the proposed device addresses the issue of low instantaneous current output in triboelectric nanogenerators while maintaining voltage stability. At a constant rotational speed, the RS-TENG achieves an instantaneous current of 3.2 times that of its nonswitching counterpart, with an 89% reduction in response time. Furthermore, at a wind speed of 2 m·s⁻¹, the RS-TENG achieves a wind power density of 10.4 mW·m⁻²·m⁻¹·s. Additionally, by integrating the RS-TENG with energy management circuits, the nanogenerator can power wireless signal transmitters and temperature sensors, offering a self-sustaining power solution for remote wireless services. This research presents a promising technology for powering electronic devices in energy-scarce environments.