Self-Supplying\nPhotovoltaic–Hygroelectric Coupling\nSystem Powering Internet of Things Sensors

The rapid advancement in the Internet of Things (IoT)\nhas prompted\na proliferation of sensor applications with increasing focus on harnessing\nenvironmental energy sources for powering these sensors. However,\nowing to the variability inherent in climatic and geographic conditions,\na singular approach to environmental energy harvesting often fails\nto deliver sustainable and reliable power. Hygroelectric technology,\nleveraging the electrical coupling between nanostructured materials\nand water to convert moisture-derived energy into electricity, complements\nthe advantages of light energy collection technology. In this study,\nan ion diode moisture-based power generation array was fabricated\nto yield an open-circuit voltage of 8 V and a short-circuit current\nof 3 mA under an 86.9% relative humidity (RH). Subsequently, integration\nof a photovoltaic module with the hygroelectric generator assembly\nvia an energy management circuit augmented the system’s overall\npower generation, manifesting a remarkable 1150% increase over the\noriginal moisture-based power generation configuration. Furthermore,\nthe incorporation of such a hybridized system bolstered the operational\nefficiency, extending the duration of continuous power supply cycles\nby up to 78.2% in comparison with the control group with no moisture-derived\nenergy input. This pioneering endeavor unveils a novel light–moisture\ncoupling energy-harvesting paradigm tailored for sustaining uninterrupted\npower provision in wireless sensor network nodes, and the harvesting\nof one energy source is not affected by the other energy source at\nall. With its inherent adaptability, this approach holds promise for\ndeployment in outdoor environments characterized by low illumination\nlevels and high humidity, presenting a versatile solution to address\nsensor powering challenges.