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This study investigates the performance of contact separation and sliding modes of triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation environment. The output performance of a plain surface TENG is compared with square, rectangular, and pyramid‐patterned TENGs. The pyramid pattern emerges as the most efficient geometry, demonstrating a solid output of 95.8 V (Voc) and 0.99 μA (Isc). Advanced 3D printing techniques (3DP) including powder‐based multijet fusion and resin‐based polyjet fusion are utilized to print polyamide 12 (PA12) and VeroClear, respectively. The laser surface patterning technique is used to make precise micropatterns on the surfaces of the VeroClear and PA12 layers, resulting in a consistent and effective surface morphology that enhances the surface area of triboelectric layers, and outperforms traditional approaches of patterning in consistency and efficacy. The validation of simulation results is made where the pyramid pattern is emerged as the most efficient geometry experimentally. Performance is maintained with minimal degradation after 102 cycles, and a 22 μF–63 V capacitor is successfully used to store the generated charge. This study not only sets the path for pre‐experimental analysis using simulation environment but also provides a clear demonstration of advanced manufacturing techniques for printing and patterning 3D‐printed triboelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are becoming attractive devices for harvesting mechanical energy. 3D printing (3DP) is a newly reported technique for the development of this device. This technique is not fully explored for the fabrication of triboelectric materials and compatible printing processes. Herein, three main 3DP techniques including powder‐based multijet fusion, resin‐based polyjet fusion, and filament‐based fused deposition modeling are utilized to investigate new sets of 3DP triboelectric materials. Mechanical to electrical conversion efficiency of 3D printed and commercially available negative and positive triboelectric materials are compared and investigated. Polyamide ‐12 (PA12), Veroclear, acrylonitrile‐styrene‐acrylate (ASA), copper‐coated polylactic acid (Cu‐PLA), polycarbonate (PC), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) are fabricated using compatible 3D printing techniques. 3D‐printed PA12 is considered as a reference positive triboelectric layer. Meanwhile, 3D‐printed Veroclear, ASA, Cu‐PLA, PC, PETG, and commercial materials like Teflon sheets, PA6,6 conductive sheets, indium tin oxide‐coated polyethylene terephthalate, conductive‐nylon sheets, and PVDF membrane are selected as negative triboelectric materials. The maximum AC voltage of 80 V and maximum instantaneous current of 0.9 μA are produced by pairing 3DP‐PA12 and 3DP‐Veroclear under open circuit condition. This AC output is further converted to DC output using brdige rectifier circuitry to efficiently charge up the capacitor and glow series of 16 LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A luminescent solar concentrator (LSC), an optically transparent slab with high refractive index, infused with emissive luminophores, absorbs, re-emits and concentrates solar energy to the edges of a waveguide. This work aims to develop an efficient Monte-Carlo Ray-tracking algorithm to track the photon's excursion in LSC. The efficiency largely depends upon the optical properties of both luminophores and the slab waveguides. Two frameworks contribute here: (i) luminophores' optimal optical properties and (ii) design of the waveguide. Three colloidal QD-based systems (AgInS2/ZnS, ClSeS/ZnS and CuInS2) are employed and the ClSeS/ZnS QD-based LSC demonstrates the highest efficiency of 12.5% at a concentration of 200 ppm. Interestingly, a multi-QD approach in a single LSC device yields 17.2% efficiency which is 27.3% improvement over single QDs. By adjusting the luminophore emission angle from 45° to 90° the efficiency enhances by 2%. Future applications of the work include ecofriendly, sustainable renewable energy sources with long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]