Example embodiments relate to an energy harvester using triboelectricity, and to an apparatus including the energy harvester. The energy harvester may include a first structure having a first triboelectric material, a second structure having a second triboelectric material, and a closed structure isolating friction surfaces of the first and second triboelectric materials from external environment. The energy harvester may further include a filling material in the closed structure. The filling material may have an electric charge. The filling material may have a viscosity. At least a portion of the closed structure may include an elastic material.

Example embodiments relate to an energy harvester using triboelectricity, and to an apparatus including the energy harvester. The energy harvester may include a first structure having a first triboelectric material, a second structure having a second triboelectric material, and a closed structure isolating friction surfaces of the first and second triboelectric materials from external environment. The energy harvester may further include a filling material in the closed structure. The filling material may have an electric charge. The filling material may have a viscosity. At least a portion of the closed structure may include an elastic material.

The present disclosure enables materials of a triboelectric charging member to exhibit a characteristic of increased surface charge density, thereby improving output of a triboelectric generating device. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a triboelectric generating device showing improved output without increasing a size of the triboelectric generating device or without increasing amounts of materials required for the triboelectric generating device. An embodiment of a triboelectric generating device provided according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a first electrode; a first charging layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the first charging layer, wherein the first charging layer and the second electrode are arranged such that an interface between the first charging layer and the second electrode forms a frictional interface, and the first charging layer includes a ferroelectric polymer matrix and ferroelectric inorganic particles dispersed in the ferroelectric polymer matrix.

The present disclosure enables materials of a triboelectric charging member to exhibit a characteristic of increased surface charge density, thereby improving output of a triboelectric generating device. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a triboelectric generating device showing improved output without increasing a size of the triboelectric generating device or without increasing amounts of materials required for the triboelectric generating device. An embodiment of a triboelectric generating device provided according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a first electrode; a first charging layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the first charging layer, wherein the first charging layer and the second electrode are arranged such that an interface between the first charging layer and the second electrode forms a frictional interface, and the first charging layer includes a ferroelectric polymer matrix and ferroelectric inorganic particles dispersed in the ferroelectric polymer matrix.

A triboelectric energy generator (1) comprises a first generating element (8) and a second generating element (10). The first generating element comprises a first triboelectric material (9) and the second generating element comprises a second triboelectric material (13). Movement of the second generation element relative to the first generation element results in an output voltage, as a consequence of the triboelectric effect. A stopper (7) is configured to restrict rotation of the second generating element, so that the second generating element may only rotate through a desired angle.

A triboelectric energy generator (1) comprises a first generating element (8) and a second generating element (10). The first generating element comprises a first triboelectric material (9) and the second generating element comprises a second triboelectric material (13). Movement of the second generation element relative to the first generation element results in an output voltage, as a consequence of the triboelectric effect. A stopper (7) is configured to restrict rotation of the second generating element, so that the second generating element may only rotate through a desired angle.

A power generation body includes a first member, a second member, and a packaging body. The first member includes a first insulating film that forms a first surface. The second member includes a second insulating film that forms a second film that opposes the first surface and comes into contact with the first surface. The packaging body hermetically seals the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are configured such that a real contact surface area between the first surface and the second surface changes according to pressure applied to the first member and the second member, and one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film is positively charged and the other is negatively charged due to the real contact surface area changing.

A power generation body includes a first member, a second member, and a packaging body. The first member includes a first insulating film that forms a first surface. The second member includes a second insulating film that forms a second film that opposes the first surface and comes into contact with the first surface. The packaging body hermetically seals the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are configured such that a real contact surface area between the first surface and the second surface changes according to pressure applied to the first member and the second member, and one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film is positively charged and the other is negatively charged due to the real contact surface area changing.

An electric signal analysis method includes analyzing electrical signals of the triboelectric power generating device through at least one of the following protocols a) to d): a) a protocol that analyzes electrical signals generated by applying a force to the center at a certain period so that the triboelectric power generating device is bent; b) a protocol that analyzes electrical signals generated by applying a force to at least one end so that the triboelectric power generating device is bent; c) a protocol that that analyzes electrical signals generated by tapping the device at a certain period or causing vibration to the device within a limit without converting a shape of the triboelectric power generating device; and d) a protocol that analyzes electrical signals generated by shaking an inducer spaced apart from the triboelectric power generating device at a predetermined distance.

An electric signal analysis method includes analyzing electrical signals of the triboelectric power generating device through at least one of the following protocols a) to d): a) a protocol that analyzes electrical signals generated by applying a force to the center at a certain period so that the triboelectric power generating device is bent; b) a protocol that analyzes electrical signals generated by applying a force to at least one end so that the triboelectric power generating device is bent; c) a protocol that that analyzes electrical signals generated by tapping the device at a certain period or causing vibration to the device within a limit without converting a shape of the triboelectric power generating device; and d) a protocol that analyzes electrical signals generated by shaking an inducer spaced apart from the triboelectric power generating device at a predetermined distance.