Harvesting energy from automobile brake in contact and non-contact mode by conjunction of triboelectrication and electrostatic-induction processes

Energy harvesting from moving objects and machines in our daily life, such as automobile and train, is quite important for powering portable electronics, sensor systems and high fuel efficiency. Here, we present a disc-based design that simulates the braking system in an automobile for harvesting energy when the braking pads are both in contact and in non-contact modes. The mechanisms for the design are based on a conjunction use of triboelectrification and electrostatic-induction processes. The static non-mobile charges for driving the free electrons are created by triboelectrification when the two discs of opposite tribo-polarities are in direct contact during the braking action. The process for generating electricity in non-contact mode is due to the electrostatic induction of the existing tribo-charges on the insulating pad. Our approach demonstrates an effective means for harvesting energy from a rotating disc structure during both braking and non-braking processes, with potential application in motor cycles, automobiles, and even moving trains. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.