TAP: TENG Actuation Platform - A low-cost, contact–separation Triboelectric Nanogenerator characterization Jig
Description
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) offer a promising route to sensing low-frequency mechanical energy, but reproducible characterization requires control over actuation, environment, and measurement conditions. This article presents a low-cost, 3D-printable test rig for contact-separation TENG characterization. The rig uses a dual-belt actuation system with linear sliders as the load-carrying structure, quick-swap electrode mounts, and readily available mechanical and electronic components. A digital oscilloscope records the generated voltage, while a linear potentiometer records separation distance and impact speed, a force gauge records contact force, and environmental sensors record temperature and humidity. A custom graphical user interface controls test parameters, test sequences, and synchronized data acquisition. The platform has been used in a related parametric TENG study comprising more than 37,000 acquisitions across materials, geometry, surface roughness, and actuation conditions [1]. The hardware is intended as an accessible platform for early-stage TENG research, material comparison, and parameter studies where reproducibility, low cost, and ease of setup are prioritized. Structure (S1–S6) • S1 – Base Plate-1: Main base plate • S2 – Belt Tensioner-1: Fixed housing for the belt tensioner unit • S3 – Motor Mount-1: Mounting bracket for the stepper motor • S4 – Bearing Mount-1: Mounting bracket for the free end of the drive pulley • S5 – Loadcell Electrode Holder-1: Interface between the force gauge and stationary electrode holder • S6 – Pot Adapter-1: Adapter that connects the moving fixture to the linear potentiometer Drive and belt system (D1–D3) • D1 – Belt Tensioner Slider-1: Adjustable pulley carrier for belt tensioning • D2 – Moving Fixture-1: Carriage for the moving electrode • D3 – Drive Pulley-1: Pulley for transferring rotational motion from the stepper motor to linear motion in the belts Electrodes (E1–E3) • E1 – Horizontal Quick Swap Holder-1: Quick-swap holder for the moving electrode • E2 – Electrode Plate-1: Replaceable plate for mounting electrode or sample surfaces • E3 – Vertical Quick Swap Holder-1: Quick-swap holder for the stationary electrode External hardware and electronics (EH1–EH7) These parts are not original design by the authors, but placeholders designed to match the dimensions needed to model the rest of the rig. • EH1 – Belt Idler-1: Idler pulley used in the belt tensioning unit • EH2 – Belt-1: Timing belt used to actuate the moving carriage • EH3 – Linear Slider Rail-1: Rail for guiding the moving carriage • EH4 – Linear Slider Block-1: Slider block mounted between the rail and moving carriage • EH5 – Stepper Motor-1: Stepper motor used to drive the belt system • EH6 – Slide Potmeter-1: Linear potentiometer used for displacement measurement • EH7 – Loadcell-1: Force sensor used to measure contact force
Files
Institutions
- Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrøndelag, Trondheim