Zhang Qianyun, Barri Kaveh, Kari Sadra R, Wang Zhong Lin, Alavi Amir H
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Adv Funct Mater. 2021 Nov;31(47). doi: 10.1002/adfm.202105825. Epub 2021 Aug 16.
There is a critical shortage in research needed to explore a new class of multifunctional structural components that respond to their environment, empower themselves and self-monitor their condition. Here, we propose the novel concept of triboelectric nanogenerator-enabled structural elements (TENG-SEs) to build the foundation for the next generation civil infrastructure systems with intrinsic sensing and energy harvesting functionalities. In order to validate the proposed concept, we develop proof-of-concept multifunctional composite rebars with built-in triboelectric nanogenerator mechanisms. The developed prototypes function as structural reinforcements, nanogenerators and distributed sensing mediums under external mechanical vibrations. Experiential and theoretical studies are performed to verify the electrical and mechanical performance of the developed self-powering and self-sensing composite structural components. We demonstrate the capability of the embedded structural elements to detect damage patterns in concrete beams at multiscale. Finally, we discuss how this new class of TENG-SEs could revolutionize the large-scale distributed monitoring practices in civil infrastructure and construction fields.
在探索一类新型多功能结构部件方面，存在着关键的研究短缺，这类部件能够对其环境做出响应、自我赋能并自我监测其状态。在此，我们提出了基于摩擦纳米发电机的结构元件（TENG-SEs）这一新颖概念，为具有内在传感和能量收集功能的下一代民用基础设施系统奠定基础。为了验证所提出的概念，我们开发了具有内置摩擦纳米发电机机制的概念验证多功能复合钢筋。所开发的原型在外部机械振动下可作为结构增强材料、纳米发电机和分布式传感介质。进行了实验和理论研究，以验证所开发的自供电和自传感复合结构部件的电气和机械性能。我们展示了嵌入式结构元件在多尺度下检测混凝土梁损伤模式的能力。最后，我们讨论了这类新型TENG-SEs如何能够彻底改变民用基础设施和建筑领域的大规模分布式监测实践。
