Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Yan Zhang

Zhong Lin Wang

Youfan Hu

Guang Zhu

Chen Xu

Sihong Wang

Rusen Yang

Yong Qin

Xinyu Xue

A self-charging power pack () includes a cathode () and an anode () that is spaced apart from the cathode (). An electrolyte () is disposed between the anode () and the cathode (). A piezoelectric ion transport layer () is disposed between the anode () and the cathode (). The piezoelectric ion transport layer () has a piezoelectric property that generates a piezoelectric field when a mechanical force is applied thereto. The piezoelectric field causes transportation of ions in the electrolyte () through the piezoelectric ion transport layer () towards the anode ().

Self-charging energy storage system

A generator includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, a dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures, an insulating layer and a second electrode layer. The substrate has a top surface and the first electrode layer is disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures extends from the first electrode layer. Each of the nanostructures has a top end. The insulating layer is disposed on the top ends of the nanostructures. The second electrode layer is disposed on the non-conductive layer and is spaced apart from the nanostructures.

Large-scale fabrication of vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays

In a method of making a generating device, a plurality of spaced apart elongated seed members are deposited onto a surface of a flexible non-conductive substrate. An elongated conductive layer is applied to a top surface and a first side of each seed member, thereby leaving an exposed second side opposite the first side. A plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures is grown laterally from the second side of each seed layer. A second conductive material is deposited onto the substrate adjacent each elongated first conductive layer so as to be coupled the distal end of each of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures. The second conductive material is selected so as to form a Schottky barrier between the second conductive material and the distal end of each of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures and so as to form an electrical contact with the first conductive layer.

Large-scale lateral nanowire arrays nanogenerators

A device includes a substrate having a first surface. A piezoelectric nanowire is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The piezoelectric nanowire has a first end and an opposite second end. The piezoelectric nanowire is subjected to an amount of strain. A first Schottky contact is in electrical communication with the first end of the piezoelectric nanowire. A second Schottky contact is in electrical communication with the second end of the piezoelectric nanowire. A bias voltage source is configured to impart a bias voltage between the first Schottky contact and the second Schottky contact. A mechanism is configured to measure current flowing through the piezoelectric nanowire. The amount of strain is selected so that a predetermined current will flow through the piezoelectric nanowire when light of a selected intensity is applied to a first location on the piezoelectric nanowire.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Yan Zhang