Encountering new driving forces of the future, nano power generation is on its way

Our living environment is filled with various types of energy, such as vibration energy, chemical energy, biological energy, solar energy, and thermal energy, but most of these energies are not utilized or have extremely low utilization rates. Nanogenerators are rule-based zinc oxide nanowires that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy within a nanoscale, known as the world's small generators.

The ubiquitous nanogenerator

Its release has broken people's understanding of the size limit of "generators". Nanogenerators can collect and utilize particularly small mechanical energy in the environment. For example, various frequencies of noise caused by the flow of air or water, engine rotation, machine operation, muscle stretching or foot to ground stepping during walking, and even subtle changes in pressure in a certain part of the body caused by breathing, heartbeat, or blood flow can all drive nanogenerators to generate electricity. Therefore, the theory of nanogenerators provides an ideal power solution for the current implementation of the Internet of Things, sensor networks, and big data.

At present, nanogenerators can be divided into three categories: the first category is piezoelectric nanogenerators; The second type is frictional nanogenerators; The third type is pyroelectric nanogenerators. It is generally applied in biomedical, military, wireless communication, wireless sensing and other fields.

In the current era of rapid development of stretchable and wearable electronic devices, researching flexible mechanical energy harvesting devices is of great value and significance. In recent years, research on assembling flexible friction nanogenerators using flexible materials instead of polymer commercial films and metal sheets has become a highlight. Recently, there have been many research achievements in flexible friction nanogenerators.

Accurate testing of small signals is full of challenges

Due to the technical characteristics of nanopower generation, it is necessary to test the electrical energy generated per unit area of mechanical energy during the research process, including the voltage, small current, and power signal generated. The voltage is generally in the range of a few volts to several tens of volts, while the current is generally in the range of uA to nA, and the power is in the range of mW to uW. It is difficult to accurately test small current and power signals, and high precision and stability are required for testing instruments. Tec Jishili specializes in testing small electrical signals, and many Nobel laureates in physics throughout history have used and trusted Jishili testing instruments. In the research of nanopower generation, Jishili's products are still the preferred choice in the industry, especially reliable in small signal testing.

The theoretical limit of measurement sensitivity depends on the noise generated by the resistance in the circuit. Voltage noise is proportional to the square root of the product of resistance, bandwidth, and temperature. As shown in the figure, the source resistance limits the theoretical sensitivity of voltage measurement. This means that when a 1uV signal with a 1 Ω source resistance can be accurately measured, if the source resistance of the signal becomes 1T Ω, the measurement becomes impossible. Because the measurement of 1uV is approaching the theoretical limit when the source resistance is 1M Ω. At this point, using a typical digital multimeter is not possible to complete such measurements. Choosing a suitable instrument is a prerequisite for accurately testing small signals.

Nano power generation testing solution

Small current signal testing

Method: Using insulation material nano power generation technology, the internal resistance of the source is generally at the G Ω level,