Preliminary study on triboelectric generator harvesting energy from breathing motion

A simple and cost-effective approach of using contact-electrification effect to convert mechanical energy due to breathing motion into electric energy is demonstrated. A triboelectric generator (TG) is fabricated by using two polymer films made of materials with distinct triboelectric characteristics, with metal electrode deposited on the non-contact side of each film. The TG is housed in a substrate structure that maintains a space between the two polymer films, except when a force is applied. The force on the TG is applied and released using a manual benchtop pumping mechanism which crudely represents inhalation and exhalation. The TG used in conjunction with the pumping system gives an average peak-to-peak output voltage of about 2.17V. TGs have the potential of harvesting energy from breathing motion and other human activities to solve an important power supply problem with a variety of healthcare applications such as continuous monitoring of heart, lung, and brain functions using wearable electronic sensor networks. Applications can also be extended to self-powering systems for various consumer electronic devices.