Robust maglev hybrid nanogenerator with an airflow-based motion conversion mechanism for exploiting low-frequency mechanical energy

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Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been widely recognized as an efficient technology for exploiting low-frequency (LF) mechanical energy, but the sparse outputs at low frequencies and insufficient durability at high frequencies hinder its extensive applications. Herein, a robust and high-output triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid nanogenerator (TEHG) is proposed with an ingenious airflow-based motion conversion mechanism (AMCM) and a well-designed maglev mechanism. Distinct from conventional MCMs generally constructed with complicated rigid components, the AMCM transforms LF-motions to fast rotation through a flexible bladder and air tubes. Enabled by the AMCM, the TENG part can provide power density up to 274 mW/kg at an output frequency 70 times higher than the excitation frequency. The normalized voltage of the TENG part stabilizes at 84.1 % after 8-day durability test with the specially designed maglev mechanism, which allows the TENG part to operate in intermittent (sliding) contact state under slow rotation to replenish tribo-charges with minor material wear whereas switch to non-contact state without material wear under fast rotation. By combining the complementary output characteristics of triboelectric and electromagnetic technologies, a storage capacitor can be charged to a higher voltage level within remarkably reduced time. The practical feasibility of the AMCM-TEHG was verified by arranging it on a footpath to charge a wireless digital camera and a wireless sensing system. This study provides a promising strategy for multiplying the output frequencies as well as increasing the durability of TEHGs for efficiently exploiting LF-mechanical energy.