A Fully Self-Powered Vibration Monitoring System Driven by Dual-Mode Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Vibration sensor is very necessary for monitoring the structural health of constructions. However, it is still a major challenge to meet simultaneously real-time monitoring, continuously assessment and early incident warning in a simple device without complicated power and analysis system. Here, we report a self-powered vibration sensor system to achieve real-time and continuously detecting the vibration characteristics from a dual-mode triboelectric nanogenerator (AC/DC-TENG), which can produce either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) within different operation zones. Within the vibration safe region, the AC/DC-TENG with AC output not only can continuously assess the vibration characteristics, but also can power the signal transmission. More importantly, once the vibration amplitude across the danger threshold, the AC converts immediately to DC, meanwhile trigger the alarm system directly to accurately predict the danger of construction. Our self-powered vibration sensor system can serve as...