nanogenerator
Tiny energy scavenger
A nanogenerator is a device that converts mechanical or thermal energy into electricity at the nanoscale.
These tiny generators harvest energy from ambient sources—body movement, vibrations, temperature differences—to power small electronics or sensors.
Nanogenerators could someday power implantable medical devices from the patient's own heartbeat.
The technology promises self-powered wearables and sensors that never need batteries.
Charge from deformation
- triboelectricCharge from friction contact
- thermoelectricHeat-to-electricity converting
- kineticRelating to motion
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
mechanical · ambient · conversion · efficiency · rectification · microwatts · milliwatts · self-powered
Charge from deformation
- triboelectricCharge from friction contact
- nanowireNanoscale conductive filament
- nanofiberUltrathin synthetic strand
- transducerEnergy form converter
biosensor · actuator · MEMS · microchip · nanotube · thin-film · electrode · substrate
Atomic-scale manipulation science
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
- inventionNew device or method
laboratory · fabrication · microfabrication · characterization · scalability · biocompatibility · durability · engineering
Billionth-meter dimension
- microscaleAt micrometer dimensions
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- ultrathinExtremely minimal thickness
Able to be worn
- implantableCapable of bodily insertion
- biosensorBiological chemical detection device
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- smartwatchWearable wrist-worn computing device
IoT · biomedical · cochlear · drug-delivery
piezoelectric
Charge from deformation
- triboelectricCharge from friction contact
- thermoelectricHeat-to-electricity converting
- kineticRelating to motion
vibration · mechanical · ambient · conversion · efficiency · rectification · microwatts · milliwatts · self-powered · footsteps
piezoelectric
Charge from deformation
- triboelectricCharge from friction contact
- nanowireNanoscale conductive filament
- nanofiberUltrathin synthetic strand
transducer · biosensor · actuator · MEMS · microchip · nanotube · thin-film · electrode · substrate · capacitor
nanotechnology
Atomic-scale manipulation science
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
invention · laboratory · fabrication · microfabrication · characterization · scalability · biocompatibility · durability · engineering · biomimicry
nanoscale
Billionth-meter dimension
- microscaleAt micrometer dimensions
- nanometerMetric unit, billion-fold smaller
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
ultrathin · lightweight · compact · molecular
wearable
Able to be worn
- implantableCapable of bodily insertion
- biosensorBiological chemical detection device
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
smartwatch · IoT · biomedical · cochlear · drug-delivery
nanogeneratorbattery
Portable electricity storage
capacitor · power drain · electrical load · nanosensor · dissipator
nanogeneratorpower plant
Facility producing electrical energy
turbine · hydroelectric dam · nuclear reactor · wind turbine · diesel generator
nano, generator, generate, generates, generated, generating, generation, generations, generative