Enhancing fabric TENG performance through optimized compression mechanics in smart IoT carpets, for energy harvesting and movement sensing

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Abstract

Fabric Triboelectric Nanogenerators (F-TENGs) are crucial for wearable technology, offering sustainable energy generation and enhanced sensing capabilities on a single device platform, eliminating the need for conventional batteries and added sensors. However, developing fabric-based TENGs with outstanding triboelectric performance—featuring high power density, stability, comfort, washability, reliability, and sensing capabilities —is still challenging. The mechanics of fabric, particularly its compressive properties, play a crucial role in influencing the energy output of TENGs. Understanding this relationship is key to enhancing energy generation capabilities. In this study, we explored the impact of fabric compressive mechanics on a novel Core Spun Yarn (CSY) based dual-effect fabric TENGs energy and sensing. We designed five distinct knitted fabric structures; single bed, double bed, half cardigan, full cardigan, and ripple structures, and tried to explain their mechanical behavior in relation to TENG performance, focusing on parameters such as Work Done in Compression (WC), Compressive Resilience (RC), and Compressive Linearity (LC). We observed a strong positive correlation between the compressive energy (0.03 gf. cm/cm²), resilience (40 %), linearity (0.5), and density (28 cm²) of the full cardigan knitted structure and the electrical output of the TENGs in a contact-separation configuration. These findings reveal the influence of fabric mechanics to TENG output and explain why the full cardigan fabric is the most optimal choice for fabric-based TENGs, achieving a maximum peak power of 120 mW and a peak power density of 588 mW/m² at an external impedance of 1 GΩ, a frequency of 8 Hz, and a normal pressure of 50 N. Based on this fabric, we have developed a complete IoT-enabled intelligent carpet system for the precise detection of movement. This research provides a method for creating dual-effect fabric TENG devices, paving the way for the development of TENG fabrics that can simultaneously perform real-time sensing and energy generation.
Original languageEnglish
Article number110568
JournalNano Energy
Volume134
Early online date10 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2025

Keywords

  • Core Spun Yarn
  • Dual energy harvesting and sensing
  • Fabric TENG
  • Fabric compression
  • Fabric mechanics
  • Self-powered IoT SMART carpet

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Materials Science
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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