Harvesting the hidden energy for self-powered systems

Abstract

Energy harvesting technologies based on piezoelectric properties of nanomaterials and triboelectric phenomenon between two different materials are superior candidates for random mechanical energy harvesting in the environment. Self-powered system integrated with such kind of energy harvesting module and multi-functional nanodevices have great application potentials in the independent, sustainable, maintenance-free operations of implantable biosensors, remote and mobile environmental sensors, nanorobotics, microelectromechanical systems, and even portable/wearable personal electronics. Several recent progresses are summarized here.