Mechanical Energy Harvesting Research Articles

Geometry-modulated all organic 3D printed smart PLA fibers for flextension amplified giant mechanical energy harvesting and Machine learning assisted pressure mapping

Piezoelectret sensors offer a promising avenue for harvesting abundant mechanical energy in the environment, providing a sustainable power solution for low-powered electronics. However, effectively harnessing large impact mechanical energy remains a challenge. In this study, we introduce a novel 3D cylindrical self-powered piezoelectret sensor capable of converting irregular axial impact forces into uniform radial pressures, enabling efficient large-scale impact mechanical energy harvesting. The cylindrical piezoelectret sensor, operating via a flextensional mechanism, was fabricated using 3D printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers as the piezoelectret layer and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-coated PLA as the electrode layer. Our cylindrical sensor demonstrates the output voltage, and current of ∼ 11.4 V and 7.2 μA, representing remarkable improvement of 250 % and 160 % respectively, compared to flat fiber membrane device. Furthermore, we leverage IoT connectivity and machine learning techniques to utilize the fabricated robotic sensor for pressure mapping applications. Through machine learning algorithms, we achieve a remarkable accuracy of 100 % in character identification based on sensor data. This work highlights the potential of organic robotic sensors for efficient energy harvesting and intelligent pressure mapping applications, paving the way for the development of sustainable and adaptive sensor systems for various real-world scenarios.

Non-monotonic variation in the streaming potential in polyelectrolyte grafted nanochannels mediated by ion partitioning effects

BackgroundPolyelectrolyte grafted ‘soft’ nanochannels are known to enhance electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency, paving the way for a sustainable energy harvesting mechanism. However, the true potential of their efficacy remains to be tapped, as attributed to a deficit in accounting for the interplay between solution pH and ion partitioning effect arising due to permittivity contrast between the coated layer and the bulk media, leading to predictions of an erroneous ionic distribution and a wrongly estimated electrokinetic response. ResultsWe unravel the electrokinetic behavior of a pH-regulated zwitterionic polyelectrolyte layer grafted nanofluidic system. To this end, we derive a detailed theoretical formulation that considers the nuanced interplay between solution pH and the ion partitioning effect through a thermodynamically consistent ionic distribution. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate a non-monotonic trend in the streaming potential with an increase in the ion partitioning effect, in contrast to a monotonic increase as reported previously. Additionally, we identify a critical permittivity ratio specific to the solution pH at which maximum streaming potential can be obtained. SignificanceWe shed light on the counterintuitive effect borne from the increased ion partitioning effect, unveiling a hitherto hidden facet of electrokinetics. By elucidating the delicate balance between solution pH, ion partitioning effect, and polyelectrolyte charge, our findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted interplay shaping soft-electrokinetic systems, thereby paving the way for transformative advancements in energy conversion technologies.

Hydrovoltaic–piezoelectric hybridized device for microdroplet-pressure dual energy harvesting and piezo sensing

Previous droplet-based nanogenerators have made significant advancements in mechanical energy harvesting from liquid–solid contact electrification. However, these generators still face certain issues, such as neglecting substrate deformation energy, inability to store energy, and surface deterioration due to continuous impact of droplets, thus narrowing the scope of their potential applications. Here, a novel hydrovoltaic-piezoelectric hybridized device (HPeD) is reported that integrates hydrocapacitor, aluminum–air (Al–air) battery, and piezoelectric nanogenerator technologies through a green design strategy, which can effectively address the proposed problems. Impinged by a 40-μL water droplet, the HPeD yields a potential window of 1.54 V within approximately 1 min, further boosting to 1.86 V under external vertical pressure. The generated energy was greatly stored for up to 5.7 days. This all-solid-state device effectively inhibits electrolyte leakage during idle periods and controls reversible reactions to minimize corrosion, thereby extending its lifespan. Furthermore, the HPeD is successfully used as a piezoelectric nanogenerator/sensor that can operate continuously to detect external mechanical stimulus. In piezo sensor mode, the device demonstrated good sensitivity of 0.098 kPa−1 in the low-pressure range (0–8.2 kPa), a remarkable response/relaxation time of 0.3 s, and durability lasting over 8000 cycles. This study paves the way for the advancement of next-generation flexible hybrid devices capable of multifunctionality in both energy harvesting and sensing.

Piezoelectric Enhancement in P(VDF-TrFE) Copolymer Films via Controlled and Template-Induced Epitaxy.

The surge in wearable electronics and Internet of Things technologies necessitates the development of both flexible sensors and a sustainable, efficient, and compact power source. The latter further challenges conventional batteries due to environmental pollution and compatibility issues. Addressing this gap, piezoelectric energy harvesters emerge as one kind of promising alternative to convert mechanical energy from ambient sources to electrical energy to charge those low-energy-consumption electronic devices. Despite slightly lower piezoelectric performance compared with those inorganic materials, piezoelectric polymers, notably poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE), offer compelling properties for both flexible mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered strain/stress sensing, though their piezoelectric performance is expected to be further enhanced via varieties of modulation strategies of microstructures. Herein, we reported the controlled epitaxy process of micrometer-thick copolymer films with the cooperation of friction-transferred poly(tetrafluoroethylene) templates and precise modulation of the annealing conditions. Epitaxial P(VDF-TrFE) films present averaged d33 piezoelectric coefficient of -58.2 pC/N between 50 Hz and 1 kHz with good electromechanical and thermal stability. Owing to the nature of anisotropic crystallization, the epitaxial films exhibit an anisotropic transverse piezoelectric property. Epitaxial films were further utilized for mechanical energy harvesting and monitoring of human pulsation and respiration. This study provided a feasible route for the development of high-performance flexible piezoelectric devices to meet the requirement of flexible electronics.

Robust PVA-MWCNTs-based triboelectric energy harvesting device: Self-powered smart-door technology

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are emerging as promising solutions for mechanical energy harvesting from various environmental sources, offering a pathway toward self-sufficient power generation. The present research demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite as a tribopositive material for designing robust TENG. Through comprehensive evaluations, the dispersion of MWCNTs in PVA is confirmed. MWCNTs-based TENGs are fabricated in a vertical contact-separate configuration for harnessing mechanical energy effectively. The device's performance metrics including output voltage, current, power generation, and durability, are investigated. The device with 1.6 wt% MWCNTs fillers exhibits a performance enhancement in voltage and current. The optimized MWCNTs-based TENG attains its maximum power of 542 μW at 30 MΩ load resistance, showcasing its potential for powering small-scale electronics. Furthermore, possible applications and implications of integrating self-powered smart-door systems are demonstrated. This can be implemented in various real-world scenarios, such as residential buildings, commercial establishments, and public facilities.

Highly conductive rubber-based electrode with a robust wrinkled mesh-like copper coating for stretchable triboelectric nanogenerator

Stretchable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have gained increasing attention for their potential applications in wearable electronics. However, the fabrication of metal-coated flexible electrodes with a robust metal-polymer interface, high conductivity, and stretchability remains challenging for stretchable TENGs. Herein, a stretchable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was designed using a highly conductive natural rubber (NR) electrode with a wrinkled mesh-like copper coating, which was chemically plated onto its surface by polymer-assisted metal deposition (PAMD) technology. To enable the PAMD process, a layer of polyacrylic acid (PAA) polymer brushes was first grafted onto the NR surface. This could not only assist the chemical plating but also improve the interfacial adhesion between the copper coating and the NR substrates. More importantly, the PAA layer facilitated the interconversion between the wrinkled structure and mesh-like structure of the copper coating during stretching cycles to ensure its conductivity and mechano-electrical stability. With this intrinsically stretchable rubber-based electrode, TENG devices were designed in a contact-separation configuration, which could effectively harvest mechanical energy in both pressing and stretching modes and show excellent electrical output performance. Notably, the rubber-based TENG could work stably at 100 % strain and produce a maximum power density of 0.14 mW/m2 at the resistance load of 3×107 Ω. Therefore, the stretchable rubber-based TENG in this work demonstrated a potential solution to flexible micromechanical energy harvesters for wearable devices.

Generalized utilization of energy harvesting ability of TENG for concurrent energy storage and motion sensing application with effective external circuitry

Utilizing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for simultaneous mechanical energy harvesting and sensing applications is a crucial and challenging endeavor that can improve TENG-based self-powered sensing systems. However, this issue remains relatively underexplored and thus, it is the primary focus here. We propose a simple and generalizable external circuitry achieving simultaneous energy storage and sensing from the TENGs. Commonly available polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) triboelectric film is dielectrically modified by loading synthesized sodium tantalate filler particles with high dielectricity. The fabricated films and aluminum tape are utilized as negative and positive triboelectric films. The electrical performance of the TENG operated in contact-separation mode is optimized based on the filler concentration in the PDMS film and the maximum electrical output of ∼ 195 V, ∼ 6.27 µA, and ∼ 44 µC/m2 is observed. Completely analyzed TENG with highly efficient and stable electrical output (for more than 10,000 operational cycles) is utilized for further experiments. Various fundamental voltage divider (VD) (capacitive, resistive, and inductive) electrical circuits are fabricated and their successful utilization for dividing the electrical output from the TENG is demonstrated. After a comprehensive analysis of the compatibility between the VD and TENG, it is determined that inductive and resistive VDs are the optimal choice. Owing to its simplicity, the resistive VD is further utilized to construct real-time vehicle speed sensing and approaching direction-finding applications. The proposed simple and generalized state-of-the-art process for simultaneous energy storage and sensing through the TENG could be revolutionary, potentially expanding its applicative scope significantly.

Self-powered triboelectric-responsive microneedles with controllable release of optogenetically engineered extracellular vesicles for intervertebral disc degeneration repair

Excessive exercise is an etiological factor of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) exhibit excellent therapeutic potential for disease-modifying treatments. Herein, we fabricate an exercise self-powered triboelectric-responsive microneedle (MN) assay with the sustainable release of optogenetically engineered EVs for IVDD repair. Mechanically, exercise promotes cytosolic DNA sensing-mediated inflammatory activation in senescent nucleus pulposus (NP) cells (the master cell population for IVD homeostasis maintenance), which accelerates IVDD. TREX1 serves as a crucial nuclease, and disassembly of TRAM1-TREX1 complex disrupts the subcellular localization of TREX1, triggering TREX1-dependent genomic DNA damage during NP cell senescence. Optogenetically engineered EVs deliver TRAM1 protein into senescent NP cells, which effectively reconstructs the elimination function of TREX1. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) harvests mechanical energy and triggers the controllable release of engineered EVs. Notably, an optogenetically engineered EV-based targeting treatment strategy is used for the treatment of IVDD, showing promising clinical potential for the treatment of degeneration-associated disorders.

High-Performance Piezoelectric Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Organic piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) are attractive in harvesting mechanical energy for various self-powering systems. However, their practical applications are severely restricted by their low output open circuit voltage. To address this issue, herein, we prepared two two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs, CityU-13 and CityU-14), functionalized with fluorinated alkyl chains for PENGs. The piezoelectricity of both COFs was evidenced by switchable polarization, characteristic butterfly amplitude loops, phase hysteresis loops, conspicuous surface potentials and high piezoelectric coefficient value (d33). The PENGs fabricated with COFs displayed highest output open circuit voltages (60 V for CityU-13 and 50 V for CityU-14) and delivered satisfactory short circuit current with an excellent stability of over 600 seconds. The superior open circuit voltages of CityU-13 and CityU-14 rank in top 1 and 2 among all reported organic materials-based PENGs.

High‐performance Piezoelectric Two‐dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks

Organic piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) are attractive in harvesting mechanical energy for various self‐powering systems. However, their practical applications are severely restricted by their low output open circuit voltage. To address this issue, herein, we prepared two two‐dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs, CityU‐13 and CityU‐14), functionalized with fluorinated alkyl chains for PENGs. The piezoelectricity of both COFs was evidenced by switchable polarization, characteristic butterfly amplitude loops, phase hysteresis loops, conspicuous surface potentials and high piezoelectric coefficient value (d33). The PENGs fabricated with COFs displayed highest output open circuit voltages (60 V for CityU‐13 and 50 V for CityU‐14) and delivered satisfactory short circuit current with an excellent stability of over 600 seconds. The superior open circuit voltages of CityU‐13 and CityU‐14 rank in top 1 and 2 among all reported organic materials‐based PENGs.

A piezoelectric energy harvester for multi-type environments

Researchers have been studying the harvesting and utilization of mechanical vibration energy in the environment in recent years. Wind energy and water current energy are common energy in natural environment, the composite energy harvesting device that can harvest both wind energy and water energy is rarely reported. In this work, a piezoelectric energy harvester for multi-type environments is proposed, which can be installed in corresponding environments to harvest the wind energy, the water wave energy and the water current energy. In addition, the proposed energy harvesting device can adjust the attitude according to the direction of environmental energy. The energy harvesting principle is discussed and the performance of the device under different working conditions is tested by experiment. In the wind energy experiment, the maximum output power is 21.19 mW at a sustained wind speed of 8 m/s, and in the water energy experiment, the maximum output power is 2.01 mW at a medium infiltration depth and a flow velocity of 0.55 m/s. Finally, functional experiments are carried out to verify that the energy harvesting device proposed in this work can be put into practical use, and has a huge application prospect in long-term energy supply for outdoor microelectronic devices.

Engineered Lysozyme: An Eco‐Friendly Bio‐Mechanical Energy Harvester

Eco‐friendly and antimicrobial globular protein lysozyme is widely produced for several commercial applications. Interestingly, it can also be able to convert mechanical and thermal energy into electricity due to its piezo‐ and pyroelectric nature. Here, we demonstrate engineering of lysozyme into piezoelectric devices that can exploit the potential of lysozyme as environmentally friendly, biocompatible material for mechanical energy harvesting and sensorics, especially in micropowered electronic applications. Noteworthy that this flexible, shape adaptive devices made of crystalline lysozyme obtained from hen egg white exhibited a longitudinal piezoelectric charge coefficient (d ~ 2.7 pC N−1) and piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g ~ 76.24 mV m N−1) which are comparable to those of quartz (~2.3 pC N−1 and 50 mV m N−1). Simple finger tapping on bio‐organic energy harvester (BEH) made of lysozyme produced up to 350 mV peak‐to‐peak voltage, and a maximum instantaneous power output of 2.2 nW cm−2. We also demonstrated that the BEH could be used for self‐powered motion sensing for real‐time monitoring of different body functions. These results pave the way toward self‐powered, autonomous, environmental‐friendly bio‐organic devices for flexible energy harvesting, storage, and in wearable healthcare monitoring.

Robustness analysis for the vibration control performance of energy-harvesting tuned mass damper with uncertainties

Energy-harvesting vibration control strategy has been proposed and applied in different applications, including but not limited to automotive, mechanical, and civil engineering. However, when facing uncertainties from both internal and external environments, the robustness of its performance has rarely been evaluated. The energy-harvesting tuned mass damper (EHTMD) is a representative vibration control device integrated with the energy-harvesting function. This study investigates the robustness of an EHTMD installed on a structure with multi-uncertainties. First, the EHTMD modeling, the interval model, and the robustness evaluation framework are introduced. Uncertainties are considered for all parameters of an EHTMD, including the mechanical units, electromagnetic damper, and energy harvesting circuit. Subsequently, a series of dynamic simulations are performed on a damped benchmark single-degree-of-freedom frame with an EHTMD. The lower- and upper-bound structural vibration and generated power are estimated under free-vibration, harmonic-excitation, and random-excitation scenarios. The EHTMD performance robustness is evaluated through the interval response by incorporating the first-passage theory. The key factors in EHTMD that influence its robustness are identified. Results indicate promising robustness when using the energy-harvesting vibration control strategy to replace the conventional dampers, addressing one of the often-questioned issues of the energy-harvesting vibration control strategy.

A highly efficient self-powered variable impendence system

As an efficient mechanical energy harvester, the triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid generator (TEHG) stands as a cornerstone in self-powered systems. Nevertheless, significant impedance disparities between triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and electromagnetic generators (EMGs) often hamper systems’ energy utilization efficiency, attributed to impedance mismatch at the load. Here, a variable impedance strategy is proposed, aimed at maximizing the utilization of mechanical energies converted by TEHG. This approach capitalizes on electronic components with dynamic impedance from GΩ to kΩ in response to OFF-ON state transitions, thus matching the impedance of TENG and EMG. Experimentally, an ultraviolent gas discharge tube (UV-GDT) is integrated into the self-powered variable impedance system. Operated at 240 rpm, the TEHG-driven UV-GDT extracts energy amounting to 1304.27 mJ with an 87.5 % utilization efficiency. These metrics outperform the situation where UV-GDT is individually powered by either EMG (0 mJ, 0 %) or TENG (18.24 mJ, 60.7 %). Furthermore, the mechanical energy-activated UV system demonstrates promise for sterilization, curing, and photo-chemical reactions. This variable impedance strategy resolves the impendence mismatch between TEHG and load, more importantly, provides a valuable guideline for developing hybrid generator systems with enhanced energy utilization efficiency.

EMPLOYING ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATOR TO HARVEST ENERGY THROUGH A VARIABLE-LENGTH PENDULUM

This article explores the application of electromagnets in energy harvesting via a variable-length pendulum system. Harnessing the principles of electromagnetism, the study investigates the efficiency and feasibility of utilizing electromagnetic forces to extract energy from the motion of a pendulum with variable length, employing sinusoidal excitation as a means for vibrating machinery. This approach enables a more significant number of oscillations, consequently leading to a higher power output. The research investigates various aspects, including the design, implementation, and performance analysis of the electromagnet-based energy harvesting system. Through theoretical modeling, the article provides insights into the potential of electromagnets to generate sustainable energy from oscillatory motion. The findings show that up to 0.25W can be generated, providing power for small devices such as phone chargers and sensor units. The findings contribute to advancing renewable energy technologies and offer promising avenues for developing efficient and environmentally friendly energy harvesting mechanisms.

Textile‐based triboelectric nanogenerators integrated with 2D materials

AbstractThe human body continuously generates ambient mechanical energy through diverse movements, such as walking and cycling, which can be harvested via various renewable energy harvesting mechanisms. Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) stands out as one of the most promising emerging renewable energy harvesting technologies for wearable applications due to its ability to harness various forms of mechanical energies, including vibrations, pressure, and rotations, and convert them into electricity. However, their application is limited due to challenges in achieving performance, flexibility, low power consumption, and durability. Here, we present a robust and high‐performance self‐powered system integrated into cotton fabric by incorporating a textile‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (T‐TENG) based on 2D materials, addressing both energy harvesting and storage. The proposed system extracts significant ambient mechanical energy from human body movements and stores it in a textile supercapacitor (T‐Supercap). The integration of 2D materials (graphene and MoS2) in fabrication enhances the performance of T‐TENG significantly, as demonstrated by a record‐high open‐circuit voltage of 1068 V and a power density of 14.64 W/m2 under a force of 22 N. The developed T‐TENG in this study effectively powers 200+ LEDs and a miniature watch while also charging the T‐Supercap with 4‐5 N force for efficient miniature electronics operation. Integrated as a step counter within a sock, the T‐TENG serves as a self‐powered step counter sensor. This work establishes a promising platform for wearable electronic textiles, contributing significantly to the advancement of sustainable and autonomous self‐powered wearable technologies.image

Assessing mechanical and stray magnetic field energy harvesting capabilities in lead-free PVDF/BCT-BZT composites integrated with metglas

The exploration of energy harvesting encompasses a wide array of sources, with a specific focus on recovering mechanical and magnetic energy from overlooked outlets, driving current research endeavours. In this study, we developed highly flexible Magneto-Mechano-Electric (MME) harvesters by combining poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/barium calcium zirconium titanate (BCT-BZT) composite films with metglas. The flexible piezoelectric polymer-ceramic composite films were fabricated using a solvent casting technique. The high piezoelectric BCT-BZT fillers were synthesized through a sol-gel reaction route. A thorough analysis was carried out on these composites to evaluate their structural, functional, microstructural, and dielectric properties. The composite film loaded with 20 wt% BCT-BZT filler achieved a 78 % β-phase with a significant enhancement in the dielectric properties, resulting in a high permittivity∼40 and low dielectric loss. Employing these films, we engineered nanogenerators capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, yielding an output voltage of 11 V. Thereafter, to harvest mechanical and stray magnetic fields, we developed a MME generator comprising a magnetic Metglas layer and PVDF-BCT-BZT composite and achieved an output voltage of 3.3 V with a power density of 85 μW/m2 when subjected to an AC magnetic field of 5 Oe. Furthermore, the MME generator has demonstrated the ability to charge various capacitors showcasing its potential for usage in self-powered, non-contact, and implantable devices.

Enhancement of the piezoelectric performance of GN nanosheets/PVDF nanocomposite film using electrostatic layer and penetrated electrode

The efficiency of the piezoelectric nanogenerator is a vital factor for the superior performance of the nanogenerator to achieve a green and eco-friendly technology in the development of modern electronics. Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) have limited use in mechanical energy harvesting due to their low output performance. The output has been a major source of concern for PNG's development. A new design of PNG based on g-C3N4 nanosheets(GN)/PVDF nanocomposite film (GPNC) using penetrated Cu electrode and electrostatic layer is proposed to overcome this problem. By creating numerous peripheral contacts within the piezoelectric material, the overall number of surface polarization charges increased. Also, an electrostatic contribution from graphene oxide contributes to an increased output voltage. The syngeristic effect of high % γ-nuclei, penetrated electrode, and electrostatic effect is supposed to vital for carry out significant piezoelectric outputs (V∼34.4 V and I ∼3.2 µA) and superior force sensitivity (0.93 V/kPa). In practical applications, the designed PNG can competently harvest electrical energy from various human movements, and also can detect low physiological actions. Our work offers a simple but effective perspective for high-performance piezoelectric nanogenerator fabrication and progress a stride toward self-powered day-to-day used electronics.

Flexible, bilayered piezoelectric composite based on large-scale inorganic PZT film and organic P(VDF-TrFE) membrane for mechanical energy harvesting

Piezoelectric composites based on organic fluoropolymers and inorganic ceramic are attractive for mechanical energy harvesters due to their intriguing attributes of mechanical flexibility and piezoelectricity. However, the poor dispersion and random distribution of ceramic fillers in the polymer matrix not only decrease the toughness but also produce poor electrical performance. Here, a novel flexible piezocomposite with a bilayered structure based on large-sized inorganic PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) thin film and organic P(VDF-TrFE) membrane is developed via a simple layer-by-layer method. To realize flexibility, PZT film are fabricated on unique two-dimensional mica substrate. Then P(VDF-TrFE) membrane with polar β-phase is in situ coating on the surface of the PZT film. The resulting composite can effectively convert external strain into electrical signals with output voltage of 4 V and current of 180 nA in a bending-releasing mode of 60°. Experiment and finite element simulations illustrate that the output performance in the bilayered composite is optimized due to the synergistic effect of PZT and P(VDF-TrFE) functional layers. Besides, the composite based energy harvesters can be employed in versatile dynamics monitoring from daily physiological motions to human-machine interface. This study proposes a feasible approach to design high-performance flexible piezoelectric composite, possibly contributing to the blossoming of wearable/portable electronics.

Enhanced triboelectricity through visible-light-induced surface charges in BTO-polymer hybrid for coexistence solar-mechanical energy harvesting

The exploration of hybrid composites holds great promise in the pursuit of synergistic energy-harvesting solutions, providing an efficient approach to tap into multiple energy sources. One striking example is the BTO (BaTiO3)-polymer hybrid where its high dielectric constant and the piezo-/ferroelectricity are leveraged to improve the triboelectricity of the polymer-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Beyond this, the BTO also exhibits a photoactive nature, which, until now, has not been exploited to enhance triboelectricity. In this study, a facile method to exploit BTO’s photoresponses in a BTO-polymer hybrid is reported, where surface states present in BTO nanoparticles enable visible spectrum absorption, and the interfaces are designed to facilitate charge spatial separation. Upon visible light illumination, surface charges are generated on the BTO-polymer hybrid, significantly enhancing the photo-induced charge electrification, which in turn boosts the TENG output. These findings demonstrate the possibility of simultaneously harvesting solar and mechanical energies in TENGs using ceramic-polymer hybrids. Additionally, the study employs multiple advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) techniques to elucidate the roles of each component and interface in energy harvesting, shedding light on the functional material design. This work not only broadens the variety of energy sources for TENGs but also addresses the growing demand for sustainable and adaptable methods of power generation.