Tribometer: Automated TriboElectricNanoGenerators (TENGs) characterization system

Our invention includes an automated TENG actuator system composed of a linear motor (with environmental control), a sample holder, an electrical characterization setup and a PC unit. The electrical characterization setup and the motor are interconnected through a trigger button, which activates simultaneously the motor movement and the mechanical and electrical data recording. The novelty of our complete invention relies on: i) the mechanical and electrical recording synchronization that allows the proper characterization and evaluation of the impact of the TENG mechanical actuation on the output; ii) the electronic characterization system with an automatic load switch that allows adapting the output signals to the specifications of conventional data acquisition tools; iii) the data post-processing system that correlates cinematic and electrical parameters to gain new knowledge on the TENG fundamentals.

With this TENG characterization set-up, researchers will be able to characterize unambiguously all TENG device designs and materials, over a large range of parameters, in an easy and automated way, getting materials comparations and device characteristic figures-of-merit (energy, power, voltage and current outputs) and its dependence on load, ambient conditions and mechanical actuation parameters.

Applications: Wearable electronics, self-powered sensors, blue energy harvesting, Internet of Things (IoT), biomedical devices, smart cities.

The ICN2 is looking for industrial partners interested in licensing the technology and/or collaborating on transitioning the lab-scale concept towards industrial-grade production.