Efficient Delivery of Power Generated by a Rotating Triboelectric Nanogenerator by Conjunction of Wired and Wireless Transmissions Using Maxwell's Displacement Currents

Abstract Energy harvesting and power delivery are key technologies for self‐powered systems toward the internet of things, and integration of the two should be prioritized. The dominant mechanism of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is Maxwell's displacement current, which exists both inside the media/device and in the space surrounding the device. The displacement current transmitted in media inside the device can be collected by wired transmission using two electrodes, while the component that is leaked in to the space surrounding the device can be partially collected wirelessly. Herein, simultaneous collection of power transmitted through wires and wirelessly by a rotating TENG, is demonstrated. The wired component gives an output of ≈2 mA and ≈110 V, and the wireless component using the finite size of the collector gives an output current and voltage of ≈3 µA and ≈17.5 V (power density of 21.8 mW m −2 ). Small mobile electronics and a digital camera can be charged. The study extends the application of TENGs for practical applications.