Domestic researchers have developed a new system that simultaneously generates electricity and light through movement and pressure. Since it does not require a separate battery, it is expected to be applicable in various fields such as disaster response, sports, and wearable devices.
Professor Kim Hae-jun of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and leading researcher Jeong Soon-moon of the Energy and Environment Research Division, along with researchers from the University of Southern Denmark, announced on the 21st that they have developed a self-generating sensor that produces electricity and light simultaneously through international joint research. The research results were published in the international journal "Advanced Sustainable Systems" in September last year and were also selected as the cover paper in the December issue.
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) and mechanoluminescence (ML) are garnering attention as eco-friendly energy technologies capable of generating electricity and light without external power. However, the triboelectric nanogenerator has low electrical output stability, and mechanoluminescence has limitations in applications due to insufficient duration of light.
In response, the researchers developed a system that generates electricity and light simultaneously through movement and pressure. They incorporated light-emitting zinc sulfide-copper (ZnS:Cu) particles into a rubber-like material (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) and designed a silver nanowire-based single-electrode structure to achieve high efficiency. The developed device maintained its performance even after more than 5,000 repetitions of pressing, reliably generating a voltage of up to 60V and a current of 395 microamperes.
The researchers noted that "this is an eco-friendly and sustainable technology that does not require a separate battery" and explained, "It can be applied in helmets that detect impacts and send immediate signals, wrist guards that detect movement, and devices that transmit rescue signals underwater, even in dark environments."
Professor Kim Hae-jun said, "It is significant that it can simultaneously generate light and electrical energy through movement without a battery, which can be used immediately. In particular, it reduces environmental impact while enabling real-time signal transmission in emergencies, contributing to making life safer and more sustainable."
Reference materials
Advanced Sustainable Systems (2024), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202400609