Publications

We report the first piezoelectric potential gated hybrid field-effect transistors based on nanotubes and nanowires. The device consists of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the bottom and crossed ZnO piezoelectric fine wire (PFW) on the top with an insulating layer between. Here, SWNTs serve as a carrier transport channel, and a single-crystal ZnO PFW acts as the power-free, contact-free gate or even an energy-harvesting component later on. The piezopotential created by an external force in the ZnO PFW is demonstrated to control the charge transport in the SWNT channel located underneath. The magnitude of the piezopotential in the PFW at a tensile strain of 0.05% is measured to be 0.4−0.6 V. The device is a unique coupling between the piezoelectric property of the ZnO PFW and the semiconductor performance of the SWNT with a full utilization of its mobility. The newly demonstrated device has potential applications as a strain sensor, force/pressure monitor, security trigger, and analog-signal touch screen.

Abstract Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), leveraging their capability for ambient energy harvesting and self-powered sensing, have emerged as a revolutionary solution for the Internet of Things (IoTs) and distributed intelligent systems. As human exploration extends into extreme environments such as deep space, abyssal oceans, and polar regions, TENGs exhibit tremendous application potential in extreme conditions, including high humidity, large temperature differences, low temperature, and strong radiation. However, these extreme environments impose unprecedented requirements on both the structural integrity and functional performance of devices and materials. To bridge this gap, an expanding repertoire of advanced extreme manufacturing methods is being employed in TENG fabrication to transcend the performance boundaries of conventional processing. This article begins by introducing fundamental principles of TENGs, provides comprehensive review on state-of-the-art extreme manufacturing technologies and their applications in harsh environments, and offers forward-looking perspectives on future developments in this field.

Motion tracking is of great importance in a wide range of fields such as automation, robotics, security, sports and entertainment. Here, a self‐powered, single‐electrode‐based triboelectric sensor (TES) is reported to accurately detect the movement of a moving object/body in two dimensions. Based on the coupling of triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction, the movement of an object on the top surface of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer induces changes in the electrical potential of the patterned aluminum electrodes underneath. From the measurements of the output performance (open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current), the motion information about the object, such as trajectory, velocity, and acceleration is derived in conformity with the preset values. Moreover, the TES can detect motions of more than one objects moving at the same time. In addition, applications of the TES are demonstrated by using LED illuminations as real‐time indicators to visualize the movement of a sliding object and the walking steps of a person.

Ni-doped TaSi2 nanowires were synthesized by annealing NiSi2 film as the mediated layer in a Ta reductive ambient at 950 ◦ C for 16 h. The hysteresis loop has a hard magnetization axis and high remanence with a coercive force of 120 Oe when the applied magnetic field is perpendicular to the substrate (parallel to the nanowires) and the hysteresis loop has an easy magnetization axis and low remanence with a coercive force of about 95 Oe when the applied magnetic field is parallel to the substrate (perpendicular to the nanowires). The elastic modulus of the nanowires was measured to be 170‐485 GPa.

Harvesting low-speed wind energy is challenging for existing technologies. In this work, we developed a wake-galloping-driven triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) (named WG-TENG) to effectively harvest breeze wind energy when the wind speed is as low as 1 ms -1 . The unique dynamics feature of wake galloping effect enables the proposed device a simple structure (minimalist contact-separation mode), low onset wind speed, lightweight (8.5 g), easy fabrication, and good portability. The relationship between the WG-TENG output performance and its structural parameters as well as bluff body geometries has been systematically studied. Attributed to the vibration enhancement realized by the wake galloping phenomenon and high efficiency of TENG at low-frequency, the proposed harvester not only can be used to drive small electronics, but also realizes a highly sensitive real-time wind speed monitoring system. This work realizes a miniaturized and high electrical performance wind-driven TENG for practical applications.

Abstract Recently, stretchable electronics combined with wireless technology have been crucial for realizing efficient human-machine interaction. Here, we demonstrate highly stretchable transparent wireless electronics composed of Ag nanofibers coils and functional electronic components for power transfer and information communication. Inspired by natural systems, various patterned Ag nanofibers electrodes with a net structure are fabricated via using lithography and wet etching. The device design is optimized by analyzing the quality factor and radio frequency properties of the coil, considering the effects of strain. Particularly, the wireless transmission efficiency of a five-turn coil drops by approximately only 50% at 10 MHz with the strain of 100%. Moreover, various complex functional wireless electronics are developed using near-field communication and frequency modulation technology for applications in content recognition and long-distance transmission (>1 m), respectively. In summary, the proposed device has considerable potential for applications in artificial electronic skins, human healthcare monitoring and soft robotics.

The first application of an implanted triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) that enables harvesting energy from in vivo mechanical movement in breathing to directly drive a pacemaker is reported. The energy harvested by iTENG from animal breathing is stored in a capacitor and successfully drives a pacemaker prototype to regulate the heart rate of a rat. This research shows a feasible approach to scavenge biomechanical energy, and presents a crucial step forward for lifetime-implantable self-powered medical devices. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Accurate rainfall monitoring carries significant importance across meteorological and hydrological domains. However, the existing sensors face numerous challenges, including issues related to accuracy, stability, and limited measurement range, particularly during heavy rain events. Here, an innovative droplet-based triboelectric nanogenerator (D-TENG) rain gauge is proposed to overcome the above challenges. It incorporates a saddle-shaped rainfall bearing plate designed to channel rainwater for regular dripping onto the D-TENG, thereby generating electrical signals for droplet enumeration. The feasibility of the D-TENG rain gauge is substantiated through the analyses of the stability of the electrical signal (short-circuit current) and droplet weight. Experimental results illustrate the effective measurement range of the D-TENG rain gauge as 0–243.1 mm/h, with the relative error in calculated rainfall intensity within ±4%, satisfying the Chinese standard for precipitation observation instruments. Furthermore, the resolution of the D-TENG rain gauge is <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3.96\times 10^{-{6}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm, five orders of magnitude smaller than the resolution of widely-used tipping bucket rain gauge (TBR). Thus, our proposed D-TENG rain gauge provides a feasible solution for high-accuracy and high-resolution rainfall monitoring across a wide effective measurement range.

Abstract Based on the conjunction of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can harvest mechanical energy dispersed in our environment. With the characteristics of simple structure, light weight, broad material availability, low cost, and high efficiency even at low operation frequency, TENG can serve as a promising alternative strategy for meeting the needs of distributed energy for the internet of things and network. The major potential applications of TENG can be summarized as four fields containing micro/nano power sources, self-powered sensors, large-scale blue energy, and direct high-voltage power sources. In this paper, the fundamental physics, output performance enhancement, and applications of TENGs are reviewed to timely summarize the development of TENGs and provide a guideline for future research.

We report the synthesis of small-molecule organic conductor nanowires of TTF-TCNQ by selective inducement in a two-phase method by π–π stacking interaction. The morphologies of TTF-TCNQ, from straight nanowires to helical nanowires and to complicated helical dendrite structures, have been controlled by adjusting the experimental conditions. The technique has been applied to the synthesis of AgTCNQ/CuTCNQ nanowires in a two-phase system of acetonitrile/hexane. I–V characterization of an individual nanowire indicated that the conductivity along the b-axis of the TTF-TCNQ helical nanowire is much better than that along other directions. The synthetic procedure presented is a general approach for producing controlled organic conductor/semiconductor nanowires.