Themed collection Nanogenerators

This review systematically discusses performance limiting factors and materials-related strategies for high-performance AC-TENGs and DC-TENGs.

This review explores the paradigm shift from traditional non-contact sensors to tele-perception, highlighting the foundational principles, representative system architectures, and cutting-edge optimization strategies.

This review summarizes the mechanisms, regulations, influencing factors, and application prospects of contact electrification at different interfaces.

This review examines the integration of artificial intelligence with nanogenerators to develop self-powered, adaptive systems for applications in robotics, wearables, and environmental monitoring.

The quest for high-performance wearable piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) has intensified the focus on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

This paper outlines new performance figures of merit for the selection and design of pyroelectric materials for harvesting dynamic temperature fluctuations.

A pair of acidic chlorozincate salts of 2-alkyl-1,3-disulfoimidazolium cations was developed as a template for fabricating ZnS QDs. The prepared QDs were used as recyclable photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants and iodine sorption.

A conductive nanocomposite hydrogel, enhanced by zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, exhibits high stretchability and low hysteresis, providing potential for applications in self-powered sensors.

A pyro-phototronic nanogenerator (HPyNG) using an organic–inorganic hybrid material enables nano energy harvesting. With different pyroelectric origins, both materials synergize to enhance optoelectronic efficiency and achieve ultra-sensitive light detection.

This work presents high-pressure homogenization method to develop 2D hBN flakes for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), achieving ∼135 V V_oc, ∼17.0 μA I_sc and a power density of 18 W cm⁻², enabling humidity monitoring and portable device operation.

This work proposes a triboelectric-discharge effect-enabled visualized sweat ion detection solution with the merits of a simple design, user-friendliness, real-time monitoring, reusability, self-powering, with no need for additional materials.

An agar organogel with porous microstructures exhibits excellent mechanical properties, excellent moisture permeability and degradation which can be used as a breathable and degradable substrate for wearable electronics.

An air-permeable self-powered thermogalvanic hydrogel array with a trade-off between mechanical and electrical performance is proposed for continuous mental monitoring based on facial expression recognition with high accuracy and stability.

This work presents a TENG for harvesting wind energy at ultra-high wind speeds, achieving high-frequency output signals and enhancing performance. It also expands the application of TENGs in high wind speeds and urban settings.

This inhibitory effect was attributed to the EF-induced surface charge oscillation, which weakened the electrostatic interaction between the cell membrane and substrate.

The output power density of an intermittently contacted gold–silicon (Au–Si) junction can be increased by about 3 orders of magnitude after introduction of a water (H₂O) interlayer between the Au and Si friction layers.

Triboelectricity, being ubiquitous, holds promise as an energy source for achieving net zero emissions and self-powered wearables.

A self-powered TENG-based machine learning-driven insole wearable sensing system for gait-assisted healthcare is designed to classify flat foot conditions, identify users, and monitor rehabilitation and athletic exercises accurately.

We investigate the flexoelectricity-enhanced photovoltaic effect on the aligned LiNbO₃ nanorod (LN-NR) arrays/PVDF nanocomposites. We demonstrated that the shape of LN nanomaterials can strongly influence the photovoltaic current of the composites, mainly due to the increase of the flexoelectricity.

ZIF-67 grown on cellulosic substrate as robuts active layer for contact-separation and rotating triboelectric nanogenerator.

By doping TiO₂ nanoparticles into PVC gel, a high-output TENG was fabricated, enabling a temperature-independent pressure sensor. This sensor achieved stable sensitivity of 2.03 V kPa⁻¹ (10–40 kPa) and 0.97 V kPa⁻¹ (40–100 kPa) from 25 °C to 55 °C.

In this work, a multifunctional, high-conductivity, flexible, anti-freezing and self-adhesive double-network hydrogel with a 3D interpenetrating framework was designed for energy harvesting and storage for self-powered round-the-clock sensing.

The schematic drawings of temperature are replaced by our own artworks and now we confirm that all of the artwork used in the image is our own.

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a promising method for capturing mechanical energy.

An adaptive triboelectric pressure sensor offers highly adjustable sensing performance by introducing a magnetorheological fluid. Through the reversible phase transition, it can quickly switch between liquid–solid and solid–solid modes.