Triboelectric generator
AssigneeLintec of America, Inc.
InventorJaeah Lee
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Abstract
A triboelectric generator includes a set of two triboelectric elements. A first triboelectric element includes a nanofiber sheet and a coating of a first material having a positive triboelectric affinity. A second triboelectric element includes a nanofiber sheet and a coating of a second material having a negative triboelectric affinity. The first and second triboelectric elements are arranged so that confronting surfaces of the elements can reversibly contact one another. Repeated contact between the two triboelectric elements can transfer electrons and thus generate electrical energy. In some examples, a plurality of sets of first and second triboelectric elements can be arranged to increase surface area of contact between elements, and thus the amount of electrical energy produced per unit time.
Claims18
A set of triboelectric elements comprising:
- a first triboelectric element that includes:
- a first nanofiber sheet having opposing major surfaces;
- a layer of a first material on at least one of the opposing major surfaces of the first nanofiber sheet, the first material having a positive triboelectric affinity;
- a second triboelectric element that includes:
- a second nanofiber sheet having opposing major surfaces;
- a layer of a second material on at least one of the opposing major surfaces of the second nanofiber sheet, the second material having a negative triboelectric affinity;
- and
- a resilient connection between the first triboelectric element and the second triboelectric element,
- wherein the layer of the first material of the first triboelectric element and the layer of the second material of the second triboelectric element are opposed to one another.
A triboelectric element comprising:
- a nanofiber sheet having two opposite major surfaces;
- and
- a material having a triboelectric affinity disposed on at least one of the major surfaces.
A triboelectric generator assembly comprising:
- a first set of triboelectric elements, the first set comprising:
- a first triboelectric element that includes a first nanofiber sheet having opposing major surfaces, a layer of a first material on at least one of the opposing major surfaces of the first nanofiber sheet, the first material having a positive triboelectric affinity;
- a second triboelectric element that includes a second nanofiber sheet having opposing major surfaces, a layer of a second material on at least one of the opposing major surfaces of the second nanofiber sheet, the second material having a negative triboelectric affinity;
- a resilient connection between the first triboelectric element and the second triboelectric element, wherein
- the first triboelectric element and the second triboelectric element are configured so that the layer of the first material in the layer of the second material are configured to be brought into reversible contact with one another;
- and
- a second set of triboelectric elements, the second set comprising:
- a third triboelectric element that includes a third nanofiber sheet having opposing major surfaces, a layer of the first material on at least one of the opposing major surfaces of the third nanofiber sheet;
- a fourth triboelectric element that includes a fourth nanofiber sheet having opposing major surfaces, a layer of the second material on at least one of the opposing major surfaces of the fourth nanofiber sheet;
- and
- a resilient connection between the third triboelectric element and the fourth triboelectric element, wherein
- the third triboelectric element and the fourth triboelectric element are configured so that the layer of the first material and the layer of the second material are configured to be brought into reversible contact with one another, and
- wherein the second triboelectric element and the third triboelectric element are configured to be brought into reversible contact with one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.