Triboelectric micromotors actuated by ultralow frequency mechanical stimuli

TLDR

High‑speed micromotors typically require high‑voltage, high‑frequency power sources. This study presents a triboelectric micromotor that can be driven by ultralow‑frequency mechanical stimuli through integration with a triboelectric nanogenerator. The authors evaluated the micromotor’s performance across different structural designs and varying mechanical stimuli from the triboelectric nanogenerator. The micromotor achieved over 1,000 rpm at 0.8 Hz with a 50 mm sliding range, reached a maximum efficiency of 41 %, and was successfully applied in two scanning systems, demonstrating that ultralow‑frequency actuation can power high‑speed micromotors without external supplies and broadening triboelectric nanogenerator applications in micro‑electromechanical systems, intelligent robots, and autonomous driving.

Abstract

Abstract A high-speed micromotor is usually actuated by a power source with high voltage and frequency. Here we report a triboelectric micromotor by coupling a micromotor and a triboelectric nanogenerator, in which the micromotor can be actuated by ultralow-frequency mechanical stimuli. The performances of the triboelectric micromotor are exhibited at various structural parameters of the micromotor, as well as at different mechanical stimuli of the triboelectric nanogenerator. With a sliding range of 50 mm at 0.1 Hz, the micromotor can start to rotate and reach over 1000 r min −1 at 0.8 Hz. The maximum operation efficiency of the triboelectric micromotor can reach 41%. Additionally, the micromotor is demonstrated in two scanning systems for information recognition. This work has realized a high-speed micromotor actuated by ultralow frequency mechanical stimuli without an external power supply, which has extended the application of triboelectric nanogenerator in micro/nano electromechanical systems, intelligent robots and autonomous driving.