Self-Powered Piezoelectric Actuation Systems Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Sustainable power supply via triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is attractive for self-powered actuation systems in the era of the Internet of Things (IoTs). Herein, a low-power actuation scheme enabled by the multilayered TENG for piezoelectric actuators, including the stack, unimorph, and micro-fiber composite (MFC) actuator, is reported. The working principles of TENG-powered piezoelectric actuators and their displacement characteristics in direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) modes are theoretically investigated. Compared with conventional high-voltage power sources, the multilayered TENG delivers a maximum power of only 10.17 mW, providing a low-power alternative for piezoelectric actuator with self-powered capability and operational safety. Meanwhile, the hysteresis of the stack actuator that is critical in precise positioning control is reduced by 58.1%. A precise positioning system is demonstrated by utilizing the TENG-powered stack actuator as an object stage for microscope focusing applications. The feasibility of vibration control with a 76.7% reduction in vibration amplitude is also verified via two TENG-powered MFC actuators. A rectifying control circuit comprising the rectifier and gas discharging tube is established to implement AC–DC conversion and discharging control, achieving a larger displacement of the unimorph actuator. The TENG-powered piezoelectric micropump demonstrates its potential application in liquid transport through straightforward operation.