Speakers

Triboelectrification is an effect that is known to each and every one probably ever since the ancient Greek time, but it is usually taken as a negative effect and is avoided in many technologies. We have recently invented a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that is used to convert mechanical energy into electricity by a conjunction of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. Ever since the first report of the TENG in January 2012, the output power density of TENG has been improved for five orders of magnitude within 12 months. The area power density reaches 500 W/m2, volume density reaches 490 kW/m3, and a conversion efficiency of ~50% has been demonstrated. The TENG can be applied to harvest all kind mechanical energy that is available but wasted in our daily life, such as human motion, walking, vibration, mechanical triggering, rotating tire, wind, flowing water and more. Alternatively, TENG can also be used as a self-powered sensor for actively detecting the static and dynamic processes arising from mechanical agitation using the voltage and current output signals of the TENG, respectively, with potential applications for touch pad and smart skin technologies. The TENG is possible not only for self-powered portable electronics, but also as a new energy technology with a potential of contributing to the world energy in the near future.

Sihong Wang is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Zhenan Bao's group at Stanford University. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2014 under the supervision of Prof. Zhong Lin (Z.L.) Wang, and his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, China in 2009. During his PhD study in Georgia Tech, he conducted research in nanomaterial-based mechanical energy harvesting and energy storage, self-powered systems, nanogenerator-based sensors and piezotronics with Prof. Z.L. Wang. Currently, his research at Stanford mainly focuses on stretchable electronics, organic electronics and e-skins.

Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities. Since its opening in 1891, Stanford has been dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world.