Design and Development of Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting Applications

Abstract

Emerging technology known as a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has the potential to transform mechanical energy into electrical power. It works on the principle of the triboelectric effect, in which electrical charges are created when two different substances come into contact and then break apart. For a simulation-based approach to enhancing the performance of TENG energy harvesting devices, COMSOL Multiphysics software is recommended. The triboelectric effect, which happens when two different substances interact and then separate, is what makes it work. It is hypothesized that a simulation method made possible by the program COMSOL Multiphysics may improve the efficiency of TENG energy harvesting systems. The results of the simulations serve as a guide for the design optimization process, providing important insights into the system's behavior. This research focuses on polymer materials, the primary constituents of nanogenerators. Flexible, lightweight, inexpensive, and easily fabricated polymer materials are ideal for nanogenerator applications. Because of these features, they may be integrated into mobile gadgets, sensors, and flexible electronic systems. We employed widely-available polymer compounds such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), trifluoro ethylene (TrFE), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The chosen polymer is subsequently processed into thin films, fibers, or nanowires with enhanced piezoelectric properties. This technique also permits the exploration of fresh methods to improve overall performance. TENG construction and operating parameters may be modified to greatly enhance energy conversion efficiency and power output. The results demonstrate the polymer-based nanogenerator's ability to produce power in the microwatt to milliwatts range, making it well-suited for low-power applications. Incorporating TENG-based techniques, which enhance power-producing capacity, allows for even bigger power outputs. The simulation outcomes provide the foundation for the design optimization procedure and give valuable insights into the system's behavior. Additionally, building a Verilog-A model was motivated by the analytical model's correctness, which allowed the device to be evaluated under various loading circumstances, such as simple resistive and capacitive loads. The technique allows for the investigation of novel approaches to enhancing performance as a whole. Energy may be effectively converted, and new avenues for energy harvesting can be explored by using TENG concepts and matching polymer materials with appropriate electrode materials and mechanical structures.