Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025
12:20
Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube High-Frequency Nanoelectronic Biosensor for Sensing in High Ionic Strength Solutions
Published on: July 22, 2013
18.2K
Self-Powered Flow Rate Sensing via a Single-Electrode Flowing Liquid Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Duy-Linh Vu1, Quang-Tan Nguyen2, Pil-Seung Chung1,3
1Department of Nanoscience and Engineering, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae-si 50834, Gyeongsangnamdo, Republic of Korea.
Micromachines
|March 28, 2024
Summary
A novel triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) device effectively measures liquid flow rates. This flowing liquid-based TENG (FL-TENG) shows a strong linear correlation between electrical output and flow, enabling self-powered sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Energy Harvesting
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are crucial for energy harvesting and smart sensing.
- Existing liquid flow measurement methods have limitations.
- TENGs offer potential solutions for accurate liquid flow monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new method for measuring liquid flow rate using the triboelectric effect.
- To create a single-electrode flowing liquid-based TENG (FL-TENG).
- To evaluate the FL-TENG's performance and potential for self-powered sensing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a single-electrode FL-TENG using a silicon pipe and a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane-coated electrode.
- Testing the FL-TENG with deionized (DI) water at various flow rates.
- Measuring open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current outputs.
Main Results:
- The FL-TENG generated peak voltages up to 17.8 V and currents up to 1.57 µA.
- A robust linear correlation (R² from 0.943 to 0.996) was observed between electrical output and liquid flow rate.
- The device demonstrated consistent performance across different flow rates.
Conclusions:
- The developed FL-TENG is a viable technology for accurate liquid flow rate measurement.
- The FL-TENG can function as a self-powered sensor, applicable in future energy harvesting systems.
- This technology highlights the adaptability of TENGs for both sensing and energy generation.
