TENGs, which convert mechanical energy into electrical power using the triboelectric effect, were originally developed by Prof. Zhong Lin Wang at Georgia Tech. These systems generate energy from motion and contact between materials, making them well-suited for wearable tech, IoT sensors, and self-powered electronics. The Boise State project, led by Ph.D. candidate Ajay Pratap and supervised by Prof. David Estrada from the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, demonstrates how additive manufacturing enables flexible, skin-compatible, high-performance devices for real-world energy and sensing applications.
The researchers formulated a printable PVBVA ink containing 5.5 mg/mL of MXene-an emerging class of atomically thin materials. Their prototype achieved an open-circuit voltage of 252 V, a short-circuit current of 2.8 uA, and a peak power density of 760 mW/m2. These results stem from the composite's high dielectric constant and superior charge transfer capabilities, driven by strong interfacial polarization and synergistic interactions between MXene and the polymer. The system maintained stable performance after more than 10,000 mechanical flexing cycles.
"This research underscores the promise of combining sustainable materials with advanced printing techniques," said Ajay Pratap. "By eliminating harmful solvents and incorporating MXene into an eco-friendly polymer matrix, we have created a scalable energy harvesting system that is not only efficient but also environmentally conscious."
The team also built a fully printed TENG prototype using ethanol-based inks and silver electrodes. This version effectively detected a range of human movements, including walking, knee bending, and jumping. It also harvested rainwater energy and successfully powered devices such as LEDs and stopwatches, showcasing its application breadth.
Prof. Estrada noted, "Ajay's work highlights how next-generation energy harvesting systems can harness biomechanical motion to generate power in real time. His innovative approach using sustainable materials and additive manufacturing paves the way for self-powered wearable devices that convert everyday human activity into useful energy."
The research was backed by NASA EPSCoR, the U.S. Department of Energy, and collaborators such as NASA Ames, Idaho National Lab, and Drexel University, with input from experts across materials science, mechanical engineering, and nanoelectronics.
Research Report:Direct writing of PVBVA/Ti3C2 Tx (MXene) triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and sensing applications
Related Links
Boise State University College of Engineering
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
