Abstract

We demonstrate the first self-powered system driven by a nanogenerator (NG) that works wirelessly and independently for long-distance data transmission. The NG was made of a free cantilever beam that consisted of a five-layer structure: a flexible polymer substrate, ZnO nanowire textured films on its top and bottom surfaces, and electrodes on the surfaces. When it was strained to 0.12% at a strain rate of 3.56% S(-1), the measured output voltage reached 10 V, and the output current exceeded 0.6 μA (corresponding power density 10 mW/cm(3)). A system was built up by integrating a NG, rectification circuit, capacitor for energy storage, sensor, and RF data transmitter. Wireless signals sent out by the system were detected by a commercial radio at a distance of 5-10 m. This study proves the feasibility of using ZnO nanowire NGs for building self-powered systems, and its potential application in wireless biosensing, environmental/infrastructure monitoring, sensor networks, personal electronics, and even national security.

Keywords

TransmitterWirelessMaterials scienceWireless sensor networkNanowireCantileverElectrical engineeringNanogeneratorVoltageSubstrate (aquarium)CapacitorOptoelectronicsEnergy harvestingElectronicsFlexible electronicsRectificationRadio frequencyTransmission (telecommunications)Data transmissionPower (physics)Computer scienceTelecommunicationsEngineeringPhysics

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Publication Info

Year
2011
Type
article
Volume
11
Issue
6
Pages
2572-2577
Citations
425
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Youfan Hu, Yan Zhang, Chen Xu et al. (2011). Self-Powered System with Wireless Data Transmission. Nano Letters , 11 (6) , 2572-2577. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl201505c

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DOI
10.1021/nl201505c