High-performance keyboard typing motion driven hybrid nanogenerator

This paper proposes a high-performance electromagnetic-triboelectric hybrid nanogenerator for harvesting biomechanical energy from keyboard typing motion (KTMEH). By combining electromagnetic induction and triboelectric contact electrification, the KTMEH can scavenge mechanical energy from keystrokes and deliver significant power from a single typewriter key.

• Development of a hybrid nanogenerator for harvesting energy from keyboard typing (KTMEH).
• Simultaneous energy scavenging using electromagnetic and triboelectric units.
• Highly miniaturized design enabling versatile energy harvesting from commercial keyboards.
• Demonstrated ability to charge a capacitor and drive commercial electronics.

The KTMEH was designed to integrate electromagnetic and triboelectric generators to harvest energy from keystrokes. Its output performance was analyzed based on different typing speeds, forces, and key shapes. The device's ability to power commercial electronics was also tested.

The KTMEH delivers a maximum power of 7.04 mW from the electromagnetic unit and 1.8 mW from the triboelectric unit from a single key. At an average typing speed of 4 characters per second, it scavenges 5.6 mW and 1.5 mW from the respective units. The harvested energy successfully charged a capacitor and powered a hygrometer.