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Self-powered sensing platform based on triboelectric nanogenerators towards intelligent mining industry

Author

Listed:
  • Lindong Liu

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yurui Shang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Andy Berbille

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Morten Willatzen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Aalborg University)

  • Yuan Wang

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Xunjia Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Longyi Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiongxin Luo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianwu Chen

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing
    China Academy of Safety Science and Technology)

  • Bin Yang

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing
    China Academy of Safety Science and Technology)

  • Cuifeng Du

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Zhong Lin Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Laipan Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Gold’s crucial role in economic and technological developments has driven the industry towards underground mining, with air quality concerns challenging workers’ safety. Currently, commercial solutions to assess air quality and safety in underground mines often suffer from low accuracy, high installation and maintenance costs, without providing data on noxious gases. To address these limitations, we developed a triboelectric self-powered sensing-platform (TESS) employing two distinct triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) modules to achieve power generation and wind-speed sensing function, with an ultra-low starting wind speed (0.32 m s−1), capable of operating for up to 3 months in underground mining tunnels. Wind-sensing capabilities are accrued by a horizontal turbine based on non-contact TENGs. Meanwhile, the TESS is powered by a distinct array of TENGs that operates via a new working mode, balancing the advantages of contact-separation and free-standing modes. Assisted by an optimized self-driven power management system, the TESS attains a charging power density of 16.36 mW m−2; this power is delivered every 166 s to a sensor node (temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and concentrations of CO, NO2, NH3), a data processing unit, and a LoRa transmitter. This work represents a leap forward in developing robust, cost-effective, battery-free, and wireless TENG-based environmental sensing platforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Lindong Liu & Yurui Shang & Andy Berbille & Morten Willatzen & Yuan Wang & Xunjia Li & Longyi Li & Xiongxin Luo & Jianwu Chen & Bin Yang & Cuifeng Du & Zhong Lin Wang & Laipan Zhu, 2025. "Self-powered sensing platform based on triboelectric nanogenerators towards intelligent mining industry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60418-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60418-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kang Xia & Takafumi Yatabe & Kentaro Yonesato & Soichi Kikkawa & Seiji Yamazoe & Ayako Nakata & Ryo Ishikawa & Naoya Shibata & Yuichi Ikuhara & Kazuya Yamaguchi & Kosuke Suzuki, 2024. "Ultra-stable and highly reactive colloidal gold nanoparticle catalysts protected using multi-dentate metal oxide nanoclusters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Li, Xiang & Cao, Yuying & Yu, Xin & Xu, Yuhong & Yang, Yanfei & Liu, Shiming & Cheng, Tinghai & Wang, Zhong Lin, 2022. "Breeze-driven triboelectric nanogenerator for wind energy harvesting and application in smart agriculture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
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