Mechanical power management for ambient wind energy harvesting with a triboelectric nanogenerator
Journal
Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science
Journal Volume
44
Start Page
101268
ISSN
13590286
Date Issued
2026-09
Author(s)
Abstract
As a representative form of clean energy, wind is a major global energy source for sustainable power generation without carbon emissions. However, ambient wind conditions are typically characterized by low speeds and intermittency, often falling below the operational thresholds required for conventional small-scale wind power systems. To address these challenges, we herein propose a 3D-printed mechanical power management-based wind triboelectric nanogenerator (MPM-TENG) that converts low-speed, intermittent wind into consistent rotation through energy accumulation and release without the need for electrical circuitry. The proposed system employs a gear train to amplify low torque, storing energy as an elastic potential in a spring, and subsequently releasing it through a latch mechanism in a rapid burst once a predefined threshold is reached. This structural energy buffering and threshold-based gating ensure stable electrical output (≈ 220 V) under irregular wind inputs, achieving a low cut-in wind speed of 3.2 m/s. Experimental demonstrations validate its ability to reliably power serially connected LEDs, charge capacitors, and operate a thermo-hygrometer, even under a low-speed intermittent airflow. In addition to wind energy, the MPM strategy can be adapted to other irregular mechanical energy sources, such as ocean waves, vibrations, and biomechanical motion, offering a scalable pathway for the widespread deployment of decentralized small-scale energy harvesting systems.
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article