Nanogenerator

A Nanogenerator is a type of technology that converts mechanical/thermal energy as produced by small-scale physical change into electricity. A Nanogenerator has three typical approaches: piezoelectric, triboelectric, and pyroelectric nanogenerators. Both the piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators can convert mechanical energy into electricity. However, pyroelectric nanogenerators can be used to harvest thermal energy from a time-dependent temperature fluctuation. A Nanogenerator is a type of technology that converts mechanical/thermal energy as produced by small-scale physical change into electricity. A Nanogenerator has three typical approaches: piezoelectric, triboelectric, and pyroelectric nanogenerators. Both the piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators can convert mechanical energy into electricity. However, pyroelectric nanogenerators can be used to harvest thermal energy from a time-dependent temperature fluctuation. A piezoelectric nanogenerator is an energy harvesting device capable of converting external kinetic energy into electrical energy via action by a nano-structured piezoelectric material. Although its definition may include any types of energy harvesting devices using nano-structures to convert various types of ambient energy (e.g. solar power and thermal energy), it is generally used to indicate kinetic energy harvesting devices utilizing nano-scaled piezoelectric material since its first introduction in 2006. Although still in the early stages of development, the technology has been regarded as a potential breakthrough toward further miniaturization of conventional energy harvesters, possibly leading to facile integration with other types of energy harvesters and the independent operation of mobile electronic devices with reduced concern for sources of energy.