Encountering new driving forces in the future, nano power generation is on its way

Our living environment is filled with various types of energy, such as vibration energy, chemical energy, biological energy, solar energy, and thermal energy, but most of these energies are not utilized or have extremely low utilization rates. The nanogenerator is based on rule-based zinc oxide nanowires, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in the nanometer range, and is known as the world's smallest generator.

Ubiquitous nanogenerators

Its emergence completely broke the limit of people's understanding of the size of "generators". Nano generators can collect and utilize particularly small mechanical energy in the environment. For example, various frequencies of noise caused by the flow of air or water, the rotation of engines, the operation of machines, muscle stretching or stepping on the ground while walking, and even subtle changes in pressure in a certain part of the body due to breathing, heartbeat, or blood flow can all drive nanogenerators to generate electricity. Therefore, the theory of nanogenerators provides an ideal power solution for the current implementation of the Internet of Things, sensor networks, and big data.

At present, nanogenerators can be divided into three categories: the first category is piezoelectric nanogenerators; The second type is frictional nanogenerators; The third type is thermoelectric nanogenerators. It is generally applied in biomedical, military, wireless communication, wireless sensing and other fields.

In the current era of rapid development of stretchable and wearable electronic devices, researching flexible mechanical energy harvesting devices has significant value and significance. In recent years, the research on assembling flexible friction nanogenerators using flexible materials instead of polymer commercial films and metal sheets has become a highlight. Recently, there have been many research achievements on flexible friction nanogenerators.

Accurate testing of small signals is full of challenges

Due to the technical characteristics of nanopower generation, it is necessary to test the electrical energy generated per unit area of mechanical energy during the research process. The voltage, small current, and power signal generated need to be tested. The voltage is usually a few volts or even tens of volts, while the current is generally in the uA or even nA level, and the power is in the mW or even uW level. It is difficult to accurately test small currents and power signals, and high precision and stability are required for testing instruments. Tekjishili Company focuses on small electrical signal testing, and many Nobel laureates in physics have used and trusted Jishili testing instruments throughout history. In the research of nanopower generation, Jishili's products are still the first choice in the industry, especially in the reliable testing of small signals.

The theoretical limit of measuring sensitivity depends on the noise generated by the resistance in the circuit. Voltage noise is proportional to the square root of the product of resistance, bandwidth, and absolute temperature. As shown in the figure, the source resistance limits the theoretical sensitivity of voltage measurement. In other words, when accurately measuring a 1uV signal with a 1 Ω source resistance, if the source resistance of the signal becomes 1T Ω, the measurement becomes impossible. Because the measurement of 1uV is close to the theoretical limit when the source resistance is 1M Ω. At this point, it is not possible to complete such measurements using a typical digital multimeter. Choosing the appropriate instrument is a prerequisite for ensuring accurate testing of small signals.

Nano power generation testing solution

Micro current signal testing

Method: Using insulation material nano power generation technology, the general source internal resistance is in the G Ω level, and the test current is in the pA level. Therefore, the industry uses an electrostatic meter 6514+Stanford SR570 (low-noise current preamplifier)+dedicated acquisition software to collect power generation current data.

Voltage testing plan

Method: For voltage signal testing, it is recommended to use a new 4-series oscilloscope and voltage probe to test V&T waveform data.