Exploring the Use of Flexible Circuit Boards to the Increase Power Density of a Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Tavis Peterson, Calum Kenny

Research output: NRELPoster

Abstract

EExpansion on previous triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) research that investigated a freestanding rotary TENG. The previous prototype used a single printed circuit board (PCB) stator with exposed copper electrodes and an arcylic rotor with vinyl-cut fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) wedges. The second generation prototype again used a PCB stator but used a flexible PCB rotor consisting of alternating polyamide and copper wedges. This prototype was assembled in a stacked configuration, with the intent of increasing current output. Results indicated that the internal resistance of the prototype was decreased, allowing for higher current output. However, degradation of the power output was observed, which led to decay testing of the prototypes. To overcome charge decay, a self-exciting design is suggested as further work.
Original languageAmerican English
PublisherNational Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Number of pages1
StatePublished - 2025

Publication series

NamePresented at the 2025 Materials Research Society (MRS) Spring Meeting and Exhibit, 7-11 April 2025, Seattle, Washington

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/PO-5700-93920

Keywords

  • blue economy
  • flexible printed circuit board
  • freestanding rotary
  • powering
  • stacked rotor
  • TENG
  • triboelectric nanogenerators

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