Magnetic-interaction assisted hybridized triboelectric-electromagnetic nanogenerator for advanced human-machine interfaces

A magnetic-interaction assisted hybridized triboelectric-electromagnetic nanogenerator (MAHN) is designed and optimized with two magnets in attraction, and a silicone-based cushion with microstructures. The whole device including a fixed part and a moving part has a small size of 35 mm x 35 mm x 8 mm. After various energy harvesting and sensing characterizations, the MAHN has been verified as an efficient energy harvester, as well as a self-powered sensor for advanced human-computer interface (HMI). For energy harvesting, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) delivers a peak power of 6.89 mW at the load of 1.1 M omega, and the electromagnetic generator (EMG) delivers a peak power of 2.7 mW at the load of 1.1 k omega. With the hybridized buck circuit, outputs from both the TENG and the EMG can be rectified and integrated efficiently to charge capacitors. A capacitor of 100 mu F is charged to 2.03 V within 30 s, which is better than the performances of individual generators and their parallel-connection with only rectifiers. A thermometer and a Bluetooth module are powered with different amounts of the attracted magnet, implying the wide adaptability of the MAHN. Advanced applications of HMI have also been developed with cross-divided electrodes in the MAHN, such as orientation control in a game of Snake, real-time operation of a PowerPoint presentation, and recognition of simple air gestures in contactless control. Moreover, a 3 x 3 array is prepared and signal channels are simplified by traversal method without loss of functions to achieve higher-level control. A virtual football game is demonstrated by a shoe moving on the array, and different kinds of shootings have been mapped to the player in the game.

Automated summary

The MAHN, a hybridized triboelectric-electromagnetic nanogenerator assisted by magnetic interaction, has been optimized to efficiently harvest energy and serve as a self-powered sensor for HMI applications, showing great adaptability and potential for various advanced applications.