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| Open AccessHigh performance floating self-excited sliding triboelectric nanogenerator for micro mechanical energy harvesting
High reliability is a huge challenge for sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Here the authors develop a floating self-excited sliding TENG achieving both high durability and output for sustainable micro mechanical energy harvesting.
- Li Long
- , Wenlin Liu
- & Chenguo Hu
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Article
| Open AccessSemiconductor thermionics for next generation solar cells: photon enhanced or pure thermionic?
A semiconductor thermionic device, which utilises thermally excited electrons, is considered as an alternative in solar conversion technology, yet its working mechanism is not clear. Here, the authors reveal that whether such a device operates in the photon enhanced or purely thermionic mode, greatly depends on the material properties and device physics.
- Ehsanur Rahman
- & Alireza Nojeh
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| Open AccessSelf-rechargeable cardiac pacemaker system with triboelectric nanogenerators
Self-powered implantable devices have the potential to extend device operation, though current energy harvesters are both insufficient and inconvenient. Here the authors report on a commercial coin battery-sized high-performance inertia-driven triboelectric nanogenerator based on body motion and gravity that can be used to charge a lithium-ion battery and integrated into a cardiac pacemaker.
- Hanjun Ryu
- , Hyun-moon Park
- & Sang-Woo Kim
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Article
| Open AccessBoosting photoelectrochemical efficiency by near-infrared-active lattice-matched morphological heterojunctions
The solar conversion efficiencies of photoelectrochemical catalysis are hindered by the light harvesting range. Here, the authors use near-infrared-active photoanodes that feature lattice-matched morphological hetero-nanostructures to realize efficient photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
- Guo-Qiang Liu
- , Yuan Yang
- & Edward H. Sargent
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| Open AccessScalable, highly stable Si-based metal-insulator-semiconductor photoanodes for water oxidation fabricated using thin-film reactions and electrodeposition
Authors demonstrate Si-based MIS photoanodes using Al thin-film reactions to create localized conduction paths through the insulator and Ni electrodeposition to form metal catalyst islands. These approaches yielded low onset potential, high saturation current density, and excellent stability.
- Soonil Lee
- , Li Ji
- & Edward T. Yu
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| Open AccessTriboelectrification induced self-powered microbial disinfection using nanowire-enhanced localized electric field
Air-transmitted pathogens are a recognized threat to public health. Here, the authors develop a self-powered, rapid disinfection method toward air-transmitted microbes using the localized electric field to damage the outer structures of microbes driven by a triboelectric nanogenerator.
- Zheng-Yang Huo
- , Young-Jun Kim
- & Sang-Woo Kim
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Article
| Open AccessTheoretical demonstration of a capacitive rotor for generation of alternating current from mechanical motion
Energy harvesting devices based on micro-electromechanisms (MEMS) is attractive for sustainable energy applications. Here, the authors report the theoretical working principle of a lightweight, low-voltage AC-current generating MEMS-based capacitive rotor device for Watts-level power generation from everyday walking.
- Ehud Haimov
- , Aidan Chapman
- & Alexei A. Kornyshev
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| Open AccessMultimodal host–guest complexation for efficient and stable perovskite photovoltaics
It remains a challenge to achieve a balance between performance and stability, as well as addressing the environmental impact of perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors propose a multimodal host-guest complexation strategy enabling these shortcomings to be addressed simultaneously.
- Hong Zhang
- , Felix Thomas Eickemeyer
- & Michael Grätzel
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Article
| Open AccessInterfacial piezoelectric polarization locking in printable Ti3C2Tx MXene-fluoropolymer composites
Fluoropolymers are state-of-the-art flexible piezoelectric materials, yet require massive energy inputs to function. Here, the authors show that the electrostatic field around a 2D material leads to polarization orientation and maximized piezoelectric performance, without external energy input.
- Nick A. Shepelin
- , Peter C. Sherrell
- & Amanda V. Ellis
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Article
| Open AccessSensing of joint and spinal bending or stretching via a retractable and wearable badge reel
Human motions often contain information that is useful for orthopedic/neural disease diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention. Here, the authors show a badge-reel-like stretch sensing device with a grating-structured triboelectric nanogenerator for joints/spine bending or stretching sensing.
- Chengyu Li
- , Di Liu
- & Zhong Lin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessDemonstration of resonant tunneling effects in metal-double-insulator-metal (MI2M) diodes
Rectenna, which consist of a microscale antenna, combined with a rectifying diode, have great potential in energy harvesting, however, achieving high responsivity and low resistance is extremely difficult. Here, the authors demonstrate a metal-insulator-insulator metal diode which overcomes these limitations.
- Amina Belkadi
- , Ayendra Weerakkody
- & Garret Moddel
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Article
| Open AccessEarly turbulence and pulsatile flows enhance diodicity of Tesla’s macrofluidic valve
Nguyen et al. take a fresh look at Tesla’s concept of an asymmetric fluidic conduit. They show that for alternating flow at high frequencies the device can almost be operated as a diode, enabled by a transition to turbulent-like flow at rather low Reynolds numbers.
- Quynh M. Nguyen
- , Joanna Abouezzi
- & Leif Ristroph
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Article
| Open AccessAll-day fresh water harvesting by microstructured hydrogel membranes
Solar steam water purification and fog collection are two independent processes that could enable abundant fresh water generation. Here, the authors develop a hydrogel membrane that contains microstructures and combines both functions and serves as an all-day fresh water harvester.
- Ye Shi
- , Ognjen Ilic
- & Julia R. Greer
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular engineering of piezoelectricity in collagen-mimicking peptide assemblies
Piezoelectric materials which are non-toxic and eco-friendly are of interest. Here, the authors report on the creation of collagen-mimetic peptides which can be self-assembled into piezoelectric materials and study the design characteristics required for optimized power generation.
- Santu Bera
- , Sarah Guerin
- & Ehud Gazit
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Article
| Open AccessUnified theory for light-induced halide segregation in mixed halide perovskites
Mixed halide perovskite undergoes halide segregation under illumination, which impairs its functionality as solar cells. Bobbert et al. present a unified thermodynamic theory to explain the phase separation behaviour that takes into account both ground state compositional and electronic part of free energy in the presence of photocarriers.
- Zehua Chen
- , Geert Brocks
- & Peter A. Bobbert
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| Open AccessMicroscale Schottky superlubric generator with high direct-current density and ultralong life
It is difficult to achieve high current density and long lifetime for micro generators owing to the common friction and wear. Here the authors invent a microscale Schottky superlubric generator to tackle this issue, reporting not only high current and power densities but also long lifetime of at least 5,000 cycles.
- Xuanyu Huang
- , Xiaojian Xiang
- & Quanshui Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessImproving organic photovoltaic cells by forcing electrode work function well beyond onset of Ohmic transition
Both open-circuit voltage and fill factor of organic solar cells are affected by the metal-organic semiconductor interface. Here, the authors demonstrate that the voltage can continue to rise when the Fermi level is forced up to the semiconductor density-of-states tail.
- Chao Zhao
- , Cindy G. Tang
- & Peter K. H. Ho
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| Open AccessA self-sustainable wearable multi-modular E-textile bioenergy microgrid system
Though energy-harvesting wearable systems have been reported in the literature, their system design imposes limitations that hinder their overall performance. Here, the authors report a system-level wearable e-textile microgrid system that relies solely on human activity for energy harvesting.
- Lu Yin
- , Kyeong Nam Kim
- & Joseph Wang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of charge separation in an organic light harvesting system by femtosecond time-resolved XPS
Understanding ultrafast dynamics of photon-to-charge conversion is paramount for optimising light-harvesting systems. Here, the authors use femtosecond time-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy to reveal specific charge separation sites and monitor free charge formation in a model donor-acceptor system.
- Friedrich Roth
- , Mario Borgwardt
- & Wolfgang Eberhardt
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| Open AccessA flexible electromagnetic wave-electricity harvester
Materials that can harvest electromagnetic (EM) waves and harness the resulting energy would have many applications. Here, the authors present a hybrid composite that produces thermoelectricity from the heating in the EM absorption under microwave radiation.
- Hualiang Lv
- , Zhihong Yang
- & Renbing Wu
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| Open AccessShadow enhanced self-charging power system for wave and solar energy harvesting from the ocean
Ubiquitous shadows cast from moving objects in hybrid energy-harvesting systems are undesirable as they degrade the performance of the photovoltaic cells. Here the authors report the shadow of the moving object in a hybrid energy-harvesting system shortens charging time to charge a self-charging power system.
- Qian Zhang
- , Qijie Liang
- & Swee Ching Tan
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| Open AccessEngineering fluorinated-cation containing inverted perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of >21% and improved stability towards humidity
Efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with simple active layers are desirable for manufacturing, yet formation of a two-dimensional component in the perovskite film compromises the performance. Here, the authors report low temperature fabrication of highly efficient and stable inverted solar cells by adding a fluorinated lead salt.
- Xiao Wang
- , Kasparas Rakstys
- & Paul E. Shaw
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| Open AccessNeuromorphic van der Waals crystals for substantial energy generation
Controlling ion transport in nanofluidics is fundamental to numerous material applications but designing a material for ion selection is challenging. Here the authors report a confined van der Waals graphene oxide membrane as cation selective channel for energy generation inspired by neuron electromotive force.
- Sungsoon Kim
- , Sangjin Choi
- & Wooyoung Shim
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| Open AccessRationally patterned electrode of direct-current triboelectric nanogenerators for ultrahigh effective surface charge density
Low charge density is the bottleneck for the applications of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Here, the authors demonstrate a microstructure-designed direct-current TENG with rationally patterned electrode structure to enhance its effective charge density to a new milestone.
- Zhihao Zhao
- , Yejing Dai
- & Jie Wang
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| Open AccessA high-efficiency bioinspired photoelectric-electromechanical integrated nanogenerator
Increasing the surface charge density of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) under a single energy source is of wide interest. Here, the authors increase the surface charge density by comprehensively utilizing solar energy and tidal energy to develop a bioinspired photoelectric-electromechanical integrated TENG.
- Sicheng Liu
- , Xi Liu
- & Zhuangzhi Sun
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| Open AccessScalable thermoelectric fibers for multifunctional textile-electronics
Despite the potential of incorporating thermoelectric (TE) fibers into textile electronics for green energy harvesting, existing fabrication methods are not commercially viable. Here, the authors report a scalable gelation extrusion fabrication strategy for realizing alternating p/n-type TE fibers.
- Tianpeng Ding
- , Kwok Hoe Chan
- & Ghim Wei Ho
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| Open AccessUnraveling the influence of non-fullerene acceptor molecular packing on photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells
Non-fullerene acceptors are crucial for realising efficient charge transport and high power conversion in organic solar cells, yet the relationship of molecular packing and carrier transport is not well-understood. Here, the authors study the effect of side-chain engineering on the backbone assembly and the corresponding charge transport pathway.
- Linglong Ye
- , Kangkang Weng
- & Yanming Sun
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| Open AccessHigh-performance compliant thermoelectric generators with magnetically self-assembled soft heat conductors for self-powered wearable electronics
Though flexible thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are attractive for energy harvesting applications, existing devices show low efficiency due to heat loss and poor thermal contact. Here, the authors report high-performance conformable TEGs with stretchable interconnects and soft heat conductors.
- Byeongmoon Lee
- , Hyeon Cho
- & Seungjun Chung
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| Open AccessEfficient energy transfer mitigates parasitic light absorption in molecular charge-extraction layers for perovskite solar cells
The performance of perovskite solar cells can be limited by light absorption loss in organic charge extraction layers, through which sun light must propagate before reaching the perovskite. Here, the authors demonstrate that efficient energy transfer to the perovskite layer from a thin organic layer is able to eliminate this parasitic loss.
- Hannah J. Eggimann
- , Jay B. Patel
- & Laura M. Herz
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| Open Access3D printed graphene-based self-powered strain sensors for smart tires in autonomous vehicles
Designing efficient sensors for smart tires for autonomous vehicles remains a challenge. Here, the authors present a tire-integrated system that combines direct mask-less 3D printed strain gauges, flexible piezoelectric energy harvester for powering the sensors and secure wireless data transfer electronics, and machine learning for predictive data analysis.
- Deepam Maurya
- , Seyedmeysam Khaleghian
- & Shashank Priya
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| Open AccessRational design of a robust aluminum metal-organic framework for multi-purpose water-sorption-driven heat allocations
Adsorption-based heat transfer devices are attractive for clean energy resources, but those using water as the working fluid require suitable water adsorbents. Here the authors use computation and experiment to develop an aluminum-based metal-organic framework adsorbent for adsorption-driven heat transfer devices.
- Kyung Ho Cho
- , D. Damasceno Borges
- & Jong-San Chang
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Article
| Open AccessDeep learning enabled smart mats as a scalable floor monitoring system
Designing efficient and fast monitoring and response systems for smart building/home applications remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a smart floor monitoring system developed through the integration of self-powered triboelectric sensing mechanism and deep learning data analytics.
- Qiongfeng Shi
- , Zixuan Zhang
- & Chengkuo Lee
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| Open AccessSi0.97Ge0.03 microelectronic thermoelectric generators with high power and voltage densities
Thermoelectric generators with a small size are unable to produce enough high voltage and power levels to run Si integrated circuits using commonly encountered temperature differences. Here, the authors present microelectronic thermoelectric generators using Si0.97Ge0.03 to solve the problem.
- Ruchika Dhawan
- , Prabuddha Madusanka
- & Mark Lee
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| Open AccessDual-mode solid-state thermal rectification
Here, the authors present a dual-mode solid state thermal rectification effect using a heterogeneous irradiated-pristine polyethylene nanofiber junction as a nanoscale thermal diode, in which heat flow can be rectified in both directions by changing the working temperature.
- Ramesh Shrestha
- , Yuxuan Luan
- & Sheng Shen
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| Open AccessBoosting output performance of sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerator by charge space-accumulation effect
Improving the output performance of sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerators is a great challenge. Herein, a space charge accumulation effect, based on alternating shielding and blank-tribo areas, is demonstrated and effectively promotes charge density output.
- Wencong He
- , Wenlin Liu
- & Chenguo Hu
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| Open AccessRational design of Al2O3/2D perovskite heterostructure dielectric for high performance MoS2 phototransistors
Designing high-performance photodetectors based on hybrid perovskites remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate that Al2O3/2D perovskite heterostructure can be utilized as photoactive dielectric for high-performance MoS2 phototransistors with broadband photoresponse, high photogain and reliability operation.
- Jiayang Jiang
- , Xuming Zou
- & Lei Liao
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| Open AccessPumping up the charge density of a triboelectric nanogenerator by charge-shuttling
Conventionally, triboelectric nanogenerators are based on static charges fixed on dielectric surfaces. Here, the authors report a new mechanism using shuttling of mirror charge carriers corralled in quasi-symmetrical conduction domains, which boosts performance for blue energy harvesting.
- Huamei Wang
- , Liang Xu
- & Zhong Lin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessMicro triboelectric ultrasonic device for acoustic energy transfer and signal communication
Miniaturizing efficient triboelectric nanogenerators remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a MEMS-based micro triboelectric device for acoustic energy transfer and signal communication which is capable of generating the voltage signal of 16.8 mV and 12.7 mV through oil and sound-attenuation medium respectively with 63kPa at 1 MHz ultrasound input.
- Chen Chen
- , Zhen Wen
- & Xuhui Sun
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Article
| Open AccessResonant thermal energy transfer to magnons in a ferromagnetic nanolayer
Most of the energy harvesting principles are realized in heated-continuously systems. Here, the authors present a concept of high-frequency energy harvesting where the dissipated heat in a sample excites resonant magnons in a ferromagnetic metal layer.
- Michal Kobecki
- , Alexey V. Scherbakov
- & Manfred Bayer
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Article
| Open AccessAlkaline thermal treatment of seaweed for high-purity hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage potential
While biomass may serve as a renewable source of carbon-neutral hydrogen, it is challenging both to utilize as-found bio-resources and to suppress CO2 formation. Here, authors convert wet, salty seaweed using alkaline thermal treatment to produce high-purity hydrogen and suppress carbon emission.
- Kang Zhang
- , Woo-Jae Kim
- & Ah-Hyung Alissa Park
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-efficiency super-elastic liquid metal based triboelectric fibers and textiles
Current triboelectric fibers suffer from complex fabrication schemes and relatively poor performance. Here the authors use a highly scalable thermal drawing process to make soft and resilient micro-structured triboelectric fibers and textiles with applications both as sensors and energy harvesters.
- Chaoqun Dong
- , Andreas Leber
- & Fabien Sorin
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Article
| Open AccessLiquid metal-based synthesis of high performance monolayer SnS piezoelectric nanogenerators
The presence of strong inter-layer interactions has hindered the synthesis efforts towards large-area and highly crystalline monolayer SnS. Here, the authors report synthesis of large-area monolayer SnS using a liquid metal-based technique, and fabricate piezoelectric nano-generators with average peak output voltage of 150 mV at 0.7% strain.
- Hareem Khan
- , Nasir Mahmood
- & Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh
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Article
| Open AccessEmploying a MEMS plasma switch for conditioning high-voltage kinetic energy harvesters
Conditioning efficiently high-voltage triboelectric nanogenerators for low-voltage applications remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate two orders of magnitude improvement of the energy harvesting efficiency by applying a conditioning circuit with self-sustained and automatic hysteresis MEMS micro-plasma switches.
- Hemin Zhang
- , Frédéric Marty
- & Philippe Basset
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Article
| Open AccessShape adaptable and highly resilient 3D braided triboelectric nanogenerators as e-textiles for power and sensing
Low power output and poor sensing ability are bottlenecks for the practical application of fabric-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The authors develop a shape adaptable and highly resilient 3D braided TENG, which is endowed with enhanced power output and improved pressure sensitivity.
- Kai Dong
- , Xiao Peng
- & Zhong Lin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessQuantifying and understanding the triboelectric series of inorganic non-metallic materials
The mechanism of contact electrification remains a topic of debate. Here, the authors present a quantitative database of the triboelectric charge density and band structure of many inorganic materials, verifying that contact electrification between solids is an electron quantum transition effect.
- Haiyang Zou
- , Litong Guo
- & Zhong Lin Wang
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| Open AccessQuantifying contact status and the air-breakdown model of charge-excitation triboelectric nanogenerators to maximize charge density
Surface charge density is a key factor for developing high performance triboelectric nanogenerators. Herein, authors establish criteria to quantitatively evaluate the contact efficiency and air breakdown model on charge excitation triboelectric nanogenerators to maximize output charge density.
- Yike Liu
- , Wenlin Liu
- & Chenguo Hu
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Article
| Open AccessElastic conducting polymer composites in thermoelectric modules
Though deformable thermoelectric materials are desirable for integrating thermoelectric devices into wearable electronics, typical thermoelectric materials are too brittle for practical application. Here, the authors report a high-performance elastic composite for stretchable thermoelectric modules.
- Nara Kim
- , Samuel Lienemann
- & Klas Tybrandt
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Article
| Open AccessStructured graphene metamaterial selective absorbers for high efficiency and omnidirectional solar thermal energy conversion
Here, the authors demonstrate a selective solar thermal absorber with wavelength selectivity, arising from metallic trench-like structures, using broadband dispersionless ultrathin graphene metamaterial film, with excellent thermal conductivity.
- Keng-Te Lin
- , Han Lin
- & Baohua Jia
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| Open AccessNanoscale triboelectrification gated transistor
Though tribotronics, e.g., semiconductor electronics that utilize triboelectricity, is a promising technology, current devices have limited application in micro/nano electronics. Here, the authors report a triboelectrification-gated transistor with triboelectric modulation at the nanoscale.
- Tianzhao Bu
- , Liang Xu
- & Zhong Lin Wang