Abstract: A traffic sensor includes a flexible substrate having a top surface. A piezoelectric structure extends from the first electrode layer. The piezoelectric structure has a top end. An insulating layer is infused into the piezoelectric structure. A first electrode layer is disposed on top of the insulating layer. A second electrode layer is disposed below the flexible substrate. A packaging layer is disposed around the substrate, the first electrode layer, the piezoelectric structure, the insulating layer and the second electrode layer. In a method of sensing a traffic parameter, a piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor is applied to a roadway. An electrical event generated by the piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor in response to a vehicle interacting with the piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor is detected. The electrical event is correlated with the traffic parameter.

Abstract: A generator for converting mechanical energy or hydropower or wind energy into electrical energy is disclosed. The generator includes a first member and a second member in contact with the first member to generate triboelectric charges. The second member rolls against the first member to generate a flow of electrons between two electrodes. Another embodiment of the generator includes two electrodes, and a member in contact with the two electrodes to generate triboelectric charges. The member rolls against the electrodes to generate a flow of electrons between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A tactile sensor for sensing touch from a human finger includes a triboelectric layer and includes a material that becomes electrically charged after being in contact with the finger. The first side of a first conductive layer is in contact with the second side of triboelectric layer. The first side of a dielectric layer is in contact with the first conductive layer and the second side of the dielectric layer is in contact with a second conductive layer. When the triboelectric layer becomes electrically charged after being in contact with the finger, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are subjected to an electric field, which has a first field strength at the first conductive layer and a second field strength, different from the first field strength, at the second conductive layer. A plurality of tactile sensors can be arranged as a keyboard.

Abstract: A generator includes a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member. The first cylindrical member includes a first dielectric layer including a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series; and a first conductive strip disposed around an exterior surfaces of the first cylindrical member. The first conductive strip includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second cylindrical member is disposed about the first cylindrical member and includes a second dielectric layer that includes the first material. The second cylindrical member also includes the second material and at least one second conductive strip disposed around an interior surface of the second cylindrical member. A sliding mechanism causes lateral relative motion between the first cylindrical member against the second cylindrical member, generating an electric potential imbalance between the first and second conductive strip.

Abstract: A generator for harvesting energy from water in motion includes a sheet of a hydrophobic material, having a first side and an opposite second side, that is triboelectrically more negative than water. A first electrode sheet is disposed on the second side of the sheet of a hydrophobic material. A second electrode sheet is disposed on the second side of the sheet of a hydrophobic material and is spaced apart from the first electrode sheet. Movement of the water across the first side induces an electrical potential imbalance between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and storing electric energy, the apparatus including a fiber, an electric energy generation unit disposed on the fiber, and an electric energy storage unit disposed on the fiber.

Abstract: Provided are flexible piezoelectric generators and methods of manufacturing the same. The piezoelectric generator includes a first insulation layer disposed on a first electrode, a piezoelectric structure disposed on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer disposed on the piezoelectric structure, and a second electrode disposed on the second insulation layer.

Abstract: A tactile sensing matrix includes a substrate, a first plurality of elongated electrode structures, a plurality of vertically aligned piezoelectric members, an insulating layer infused into the piezoelectric members and a second plurality of elongated electrode structures. The first plurality of elongated electrode structures is disposed on the substrate along a first orientation. The vertically aligned piezoelectric members is disposed on the first plurality of elongated electrode structures and form a matrix having columns of piezoelectric members disposed along the first orientation and rows of piezoelectric members disposed along a second orientation that is transverse to the first orientation. The second plurality of elongated electrode structures is disposed on the insulating layer along the second orientation. The elongated electrode structures form a Schottky contact with the piezoelectric members. When pressure is applied to the piezoelectric members, current flow therethrough is modulated.

Abstract: A triboelectric power system includes a triboelectric generator, a rechargeable energy storage unit and a power management circuit. The rechargeable energy storage unit is associated to the triboelectric generator. The power management circuit is configured to receive an input current from the triboelectric generator and to deliver an output current corresponding to the input current to the rechargeable battery so that the output current has a current direction and a voltage that will recharge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A light position controlling apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. The light position controlling apparatus includes a substrate; first and second electrodes that are arranged on the substrate and configured to generate an electric field; and a piezoelectric nano wire configured to operate as optical waveguide. The piezoelectric nano wire includes a first portion disposed on the substrate, and a second portion that extends from the first portion and bends according to the electric field generated by the first and second electrodes to change a travel direction of light transmitted by the piezoelectric nano wire.

Abstract: A triboelectric generator includes a first contact charging member, a second contact charging member and an electrical load. The first contact charging member has a contact side and an opposite back side. The first contact charging member includes a material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series and also has a conductive aspect. The second contact charging member has a second rating on the triboelectric series, different from the first rating, and is configured to come into contact with the first contact layer and go out of contact with the first contact layer. The electrical load electrically is coupled to the first contact charging member and to a common voltage so that current will flow through the load after the second contact charging member comes into contact with the first contact charging member and then goes out of contact with the first contact charging member.

Abstract: A generator includes a first member, a second member and a sliding mechanism. The first member includes a first electrode and a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode. The first dielectric layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The second member includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second member includes a second electrode. The second member is disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sliding mechanism is configured to cause relative movement between the first member and the second member, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A generator includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, a dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures, an insulating layer and a second electrode layer. The substrate has a top surface and the first electrode layer is disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures extends from the first electrode layer. Each of the nanostructures has a top end. The insulating layer is disposed on the top ends of the nanostructures. The second electrode layer is disposed on the non-conductive layer and is spaced apart from the nanostructures.

Abstract: A generator includes a first member, a second member and a sliding mechanism. The first member includes a first electrode and a first dielectric layer affixed to the first electrode. The first dielectric layer includes a first material that has a first rating on a triboelectric series. The second member includes a second material that has a second rating on the triboelectric series that is different from the first rating. The second member includes a second electrode. The second member is disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer so that the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sliding mechanism is configured to cause relative lateral movement between the first member and the second member, thereby generating an electric potential imbalance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A generator includes a disc shaped first unit, a disc shaped second unit and an axle. The first unit includes a substrate layer, a double complementary electrode layer and an electrification material layer. The electrode layer includes a first electrode member and a second electrode member. The first electrode member includes evenly spaced apart first electrode legs extending inwardly. The second electrode member is complementary in shape to the first electrode member. The legs of the first electrode member and the second electrode member are interleaved with each other and define a continuous gap therebetween. The electrification material includes a first material that is in a first position on the triboelectric series. The second unit defines elongated openings and corresponding elongated leg portions, and includes a second material that is at a second position on a triboelectric series, different than the first position.

Abstract: A hybrid generator using a thermoelectric generation and a piezoelectric generation are provided. The hybrid generator includes first and second insulating layers spaced apart from each other; a thermoelectric structure disposed between the first and second insulating layers; a first electrode disposed on the second insulating layer; a piezoelectric structure disposed on the first electrode; a third insulating layer disposed on the piezoelectric structure; and a second electrode disposed on the third insulating layer.

Abstract: Provided are flexible piezoelectric generators and methods of manufacturing the same. The piezoelectric generator includes a first insulation layer disposed on a first electrode, a piezoelectric structure disposed on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer disposed on the piezoelectric structure, and a second electrode disposed on the second insulation layer.

Abstract: A triboelectric generator includes a first contact charging member and a second contact charging member. The first contact charging member includes a first contact layer and a conductive electrode layer. The first contact layer includes a material that has a triboelectric series rating indicating a propensity to gain electrons due to a contacting event. The conductive electrode layer is disposed along the back side of the contact layer. The second contact charging member is spaced apart from and disposed oppositely from the first contact charging member. It includes an electrically conductive material layer that has a triboelectric series rating indicating a propensity to lose electrons when contacted by the first contact layer during the contacting event. The electrically conductive material acts as an electrode. A mechanism maintains a space between the first contact charging member and the second contact charging member except when a force is applied thereto.

Abstract: In a method of growing p-type nanowires, a nanowire growth solution of zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2), hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and polyethylenemine (800 Mw PEI) is prepared. A dopant solution to the growth solution, the dopant solution including an equal molar ration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), glycolic acid (C2H4O3) and antimony acetate (Sb(CH3COO)3) in water is prepared. The dopant solution and the growth solution combine to generate a resulting solution that includes antimony to zinc in a ratio of between 0.2% molar to 2.0% molar, the resulting solution having a top surface. An ammonia solution is added to the resulting solution. A ZnO seed layer is applied to a substrate and the substrate is placed into the top surface of the resulting solution with the ZnO seed layer facing downwardly for a predetermined time until Sb-doped ZnO nanowires having a length of at least 5 ?m have grown from the ZnO seed layer.

Abstract: A tactile sensing matrix includes a substrate, a first plurality of elongated electrode structures, a plurality of vertically aligned piezoelectric members, an insulating layer infused into the piezoelectric members and a second plurality of elongated electrode structures. The first plurality of elongated electrode structures is disposed on the substrate along a first orientation. The vertically aligned piezoelectric members is disposed on the first plurality of elongated electrode structures and form a matrix having columns of piezoelectric members disposed along the first orientation and rows of piezoelectric members disposed along a second orientation that is transverse to the first orientation. The second plurality of elongated electrode structures is disposed on the insulating layer along the second orientation. The elongated electrode structures form a Schottky contact with the piezoelectric members. When pressure is applied to the piezoelectric members, current flow therethrough is modulated.