Exhalation‐Driven Mask‐Valve‐Integrated Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Amplified Output Current

Respiration‐driven airflow‐type triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) exhibit limitations in reliable integration into masks, avoiding direct exposure to respiratory moisture and achieving high output performance. An exhalation‐driven mask‐valve‐integrated TENG (EM‐TENG) is proposed in this study. EM‐TENG is entirely integrated into the interior of the mask valve and generates a high output current and power of 170 mA and 4.2 W (peak frequency: 60 Hz) with a compact size (3.87 cm 3 ) via charge separation and a direct electron flow mechanism. An EM‐TENG is unaffected by the moisture in human exhalation, ensuring that it maintains the original output for long‐term breathing (1,000,000 rotations). EM‐TENG features a blade rotation design that is mechanically and electrically optimized and can operate even at a human exhalation speed of 4 m s −1 and for maximized output in a small device size. Furthermore, an EM‐TENG can continuously power 20 light‐emitting diodes and a 5 W commercial lamp and operate a commercial thermohygrometer sensor after charging the capacitor. This device can potentially be used as a sustainable power source for commercial sensors and monitoring devices in everyday life and industrial environments in which wearing a mask is required.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small Structures
Published
2025-09-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202500280
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.67
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article

Exhalation‐Driven Mask‐Valve‐Integrated Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Amplified Output Current

Myunghwan Song, Youngho Jin, Deokjae Heo, Jinkee Hong et al.
1 citations
Small Structures
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
0.67
article

Exhalation‐Driven Mask‐Valve‐Integrated Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Amplified Output Current

Myunghwan Song, Youngho Jin, Deokjae Heo, Jinkee Hong, Sook Young Kang, Sangmin Lee, Sunghan Kim, Seh‐Hoon Chung
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Respiration‐driven airflow‐type triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) exhibit limitations in reliable integration into masks, avoiding direct exposure to respiratory moisture and achieving high output performance. An exhalation‐driven mask‐valve‐integrated TENG (EM‐TENG) is proposed in this study. EM‐TENG is entirely integrated into the interior of the mask valve and generates a high output current and power of 170 mA and 4.2 W (peak frequency: 60 Hz) with a compact size (3.87 cm 3 ) via charge separation and a direct electron flow mechanism. An EM‐TENG is unaffected by the moisture in human exhalation, ensuring that it maintains the original output for long‐term breathing (1,000,000 rotations). EM‐TENG features a blade rotation design that is mechanically and electrically optimized and can operate even at a human exhalation speed of 4 m s −1 and for maximized output in a small device size. Furthermore, an EM‐TENG can continuously power 20 light‐emitting diodes and a 5 W commercial lamp and operate a commercial thermohygrometer sensor after charging the capacitor. This device can potentially be used as a sustainable power source for commercial sensors and monitoring devices in everyday life and industrial environments in which wearing a mask is required.

Small StructuresVol. 6(12)
Harvard University (US), Yonsei University (KR), Massachusetts General Hospital (US), Center for Systems Biology (US), Chung-Ang University (KR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 26%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
0.67
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