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The sensor devices based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) have been proved to have both high sensitivity and good self‐powered capability. Inspired by the cockroach antennae, a bionic‐antennae‐array (BAA) sensor based on the working principle of TENG is proposed for identifying the noncontact motions and a data processing module is specially designed for outputting electrostatic signal to the microcontroller unit (MCU). Based on the amplifying effect of antennae array, the detected maximum distance by this BAA sensor can reach 180 mm with a displacement resolution of 1 mm and maximum sensitivity of about 5.6 V mm−1 (at approaching angle of 90°). The influences of several critical factors, such as approaching angle, motion velocity, and target materials, to the performance of this BAA sensor are systematically studied. Meanwhile, the BAA sensor is integrated with proximity switch, intelligent robot, and mobile vehicles for realizing the function of motion alarming and obstacle detecting. The high sensitivity and the easy fabrication process of this TENG‐based BAA sensor show great application potentials in the field of industrial robotics, human–machine interactions, artificial intelligence, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of water wave energy to generate electric power is a promising and valuable way to solve global energy crisis. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are considered as one of the most promising approaches for harvesting water wave energy. Here, a butterfly‐inspired triboelectric nanogenerator (B‐TENG) with spring‐assisted four‐bar linkage is fabricated to acquire multidirectional water wave energy from different types of movements generated by the device. The arc‐shaped outer shell can efficiently absorb the impact force of water wave and inner spring‐assisted four‐bar linkage can induce multiple contact–separation motion of TENG module, both of which allow the B‐TENG to harvest energy from different types of low‐frequency waves. The short‐circuit current and open‐circuit voltage of this B‐TENG device can reach 75.35 µA and 707.01 V, while a maximum output power density of 9.559 W m−3 can be achieved and 180 light‐emitting diodes can be directly lightened up by this B‐TENG. The energy generated from this B‐TENG can also be stored in a capacitor and to drive some marine sensor devices, such as an electronic thermometer. This proposed B‐TENG device is specially designed for multidirectional water energy harvesting and it may have good application prospects for ocean information monitoring and power supply to oceanic islands. A butterfly‐inspired triboelectric nanogenerator with spring‐assisted four‐bar linkage is fabricated to harvest energy from different types of low‐frequency waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a smart microfluidic system that can realize both long distance transport of micro‐/nanodroplets and precise patterning of microfluidics is designed based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a photocontrollable adhesion surface (PCAS). The high output voltage from TENG can eject a microdroplet to a maximum distance of 640 mm (a maximum distance/diameter ratio of 300), while TENG can also manipulate the microdroplet under a thick dielectric layer (2 mm). Meanwhile, water adhesion as well as contact angle of the PCAS changes significantly with a short period of UV treatment and thus it can help to capture the moving microfluidics at the designated position. Moreover, microfluidic patterning with a variety of patterns and arrays on this PCAS can be obtained by using UV imprinting and the combination of TENG and PCAS can achieve an effective self‐powered microfluidic patterning system. Finally, a tunable gripper probe for 3D transport of microdroplets is demonstrated as another application of TENG and PCAS. These smart microfluidic systems based on TENG and PCAS have excellent applicability for many fields, such as drug/cell delivery, controllable chemical reaction for liquid testing, and production of microdroplets. A smart microfluidic system that can realize long distance transport of droplets and precise microfluidic patterning is designed based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and photocontrollable adhesion surface (PCAS). The high voltage from TENG can eject a microdroplet to a maximum distance of 640 mm. With UV treatment, the PCAS can capture the moving microfluidics at the designated position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]