3D-ARCHITECTURE TRIBOELECTRIC GENERATOR USING DEFORMABLE LIQUID METAL

A 3D-architecure triboelectric generator using mercury has been proposed as a promising candidate for energy harvesting, exploiting both triboelectrification and electrostatic induction to convert mechanical energy to electrical power. The post-shape of the copper electrodes and the deformability of mercury substantially increase the contact area between the PTFE and the mercury (Figure 1). The vertical back-and-forth movement of the mercury results in the displacement between the positive and negative charges generated from their contact, hence the open-circuit voltage V_"sc" between the mercury and the copper (Figure 2). If these two electrodes are connected with an outer load, charges will be transferred between the two electrodes due to the potential drop and form a short-circuit current I_"sc" . The dependence of the electrical properties on the dimensions, including the thickness of the PTFE layer h_"PTFE" ,etc., has been investigated (Figure 3 & 4).