A Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Conveyor Belt Structure for High‐Precision Vortex Detection

Abstract Vortex is one of the most common natural phenomena. However, its monitoring and measurement has always been difficult in both research and water conservancy projects. A multifunctional device is designed to detect the vortex based on the capability of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), utilizing the relative motion principle of a conveyor transmission structure that is driven by the relative motion of upper and lower parts to generate electrical signals. The TENG based on a conveyor belt structure (CB‐TENG) having three electrodes can monitor the vortex in real time and measure the rotating speed of the vortex. The output time domain of different electrodes corresponds to different rotation directions; therefore, the vortex direction can be determined according to electrical signal characteristics. Additionally, the wheel speed sensor (accuracy up to 98.11%) and wind speed sensor based on CB‐TENG are fabricated and tested, which proves the feasibility and high efficiency of the scheme and demonstrates the wide application of CB‐TENG.