부산대학교 도서관

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are gaining attention for energy supply because of higher demands in decentralizedenergy production. TENGs are known for being self-energy harvesters, converting wasted mechanical energy to usefulelectrical energy under an ambient environment. Advantages of TENGs include a clean energy supply, a wide range ofmaterials selection, and an energy scavenging capability in the ambient environment. However, TENGs still suffer from theirlow electrical outputs compared to existing electrical supplies such as fuel cells and batteries. In bio-photovoltaic (BPV),there has been an interest in the use of microalgae, which are photosynthetic microorganisms capable of carbon capture andgenerating bioelectricity both day and night through electron transport chains via photosynthesis and cell respiration. Toincrease the current output of BPV, many have tried to immobilize living microalgal cells onto electrodes for higher masstransfers leading to higher photosynthetic rates. In this study, we have used immobilized living microalgae (Chlorella sp.)onto aluminium sheets to fabricate the TENG systems and investigate biomechanical energy harvesting. This proof of conceptshows that this integration of microalgae with TENG can enhance the voltage and current output achieved by the dualoperation modes of TENG. One issue raised during the tests was maintaining microalgae alive for several days, which hasgiven opportunities for further studies in nutrient and light supplies to this innovative sustainable hybrid technology. Theresults confirm that the microalgae can be an excellent triboelectric layer in TENG for biomechanical energy harvesting.