Triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid generator assisted by a shape memory alloy wire for water quality monitoring and waste heat collecting

Thermal energy has garnered significant attention due to its widespread availability and environmentally friendly nature. Currently, the collection of thermal energy primarily depends on thermoelectric generators, which require significant temperature differences and high-performance materials, consequently imposing significant limitations on energy collection efficiency. Here, a shape-memory-alloy-wire driven hybrid generator (HG) composed of triboelectric nanogenerator and electromagnetic generator is developed, which could efficiently convert thermal energy into electric energy. Due to its remarkable output performance, achieving an output voltage of 8 V and an output current of 2.5 μA, the HG can be utilized for self-powered monitoring of water temperature, ion concentration, and sewage composition. This work provides a new strategy for collecting thermal energy and self-powered monitoring of water quality.