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Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Nanosystems

Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Nanosystems
Dr. Rusen Yang
School of Materials Science and Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GAAbstract
A self-powered nanosystem that harvests its operating energy from the environment is an attractive proposition for sensing, medical science, defense technology, and even personal electronics. Therefore, it is essential to explore innovative nanotechnologies for converting mechanical energy (such as body movement), vibration energy (such as acoustic/ultrasonic wave), and hydraulic energy (such as blood flow) into electric energy that will be used to power nanodevices without using battery. Piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowire (NW) arrays have been successfully demonstrated to convert nano-scale mechanical energy into electric energy. The operation mechanism of the electric generator relies on the unique coupling of piezoelectric and semiconducting dual properties of ZnO as well as the elegant rectifying function of the Schottky barrier formed between the metal electrode and the NW. This mechanism resulted in the DC nanogenerator driven by ultrasonic wave. Recently we achieved a new breakthrough with laterally-packaged single wire generator, which solved the transient contact issue in DC nanogenerator and produced power output from low frequency and irregular mechanical disturbance, such as finger tapping and running hamster. This presentation will introduce the fundamental principle of nanogenerator and its potential applications.

Location: Hedco Pertroleum and Chemical Engineering Building (HED) - 116

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Petra Pearce Sapir