Lightweight triboelectric device, method of generating a flow of electric charges and vehicle using same

A method of generating a flow of electric charges using a triboelectric device, the triboelectric device having a resilient structure having a deformation plane, and a plurality of hollow cells having internal walls having a cross-sectional shape extending along a respective cell axis perpendicular to the deformation plane, the internal walls defining a cavity thereinside, and having first and second curved surfaces distributed around the cavity and facing the cavity, the method comprising:

• a triboelectric circuit providing a first electrode assembly snugly covering the first curved surfaces, and a second electrode assembly snugly covering the second curved surfaces;
• the resilient structure electrically insulating the first and second electrode assemblies electrically insulated from one another;
• and
• while deforming the resilient structure along the deformation plane, said deforming including moving the first and second curved surfaces of the hollow cells relative to one another, creating a flow of electric charges across the triboelectric circuit.