Flexible fiber-based triboelectric generator for self-powered sensors

This paper presents a fiber-based triboelectric generator (FTEG) that can not only harvest energy, but also function as a self-powered sensor. It consists of elastic silicon rubber and conductive fiber. Triboelectricity is generated by the regular contact and noncontact between the relatively positive conductive fiber and negative silicon rubber. The flexible FTEG showed an output voltage of 3.31V at a strain rate of 34%, which was 75% more efficient than the original state. As it is easy to fabricate, cost-efficient, and has flexible property, the FTEG is expected to possess the potential to harvest energy from human motion.