Abstract
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are in the forefront of next‐generation energy harvesting technologies, having been demonstrated as a leading candidate for numerous applications in energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing. However, critical parameters affecting TENG output behavior and their optimization are not well understood. Herein, for the first time, the power output characteristics of TENGs are fully unveiled by vigorously analyzing their impedance behavior as a function of excitation source and device parameters. In this paper, Norton's theorem, first presented in 1926 for two terminal linear electrical networks, is extended to represent TENGs, allowing accurate visualization of their dynamic power output behavior via small signal analysis. TENG impedance plots are introduced to accurately determine the peak power point of a given design, which holds paramount importance in understanding and improving TENGs. The knowledge with empirical understanding for these variations results in the design and construction of more efficient TENG devices for future applications.
Triboelectric nanogenerators are emerging as a leading energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing technology; however, their power generation characteristics are not fully understood. This work reveals the power generation and transmission characteristics of triboelectric nanogenerators, establishing optimization strategies that are critical in enhancing their output power and designing end applications.