Abstract: Developing novel technologies for wireless nanodevices and nanosystems are of critical importance for sensing, medical science, defense technology and even personal electronics. It is highly desired for wireless devices and even required for implanted biomedical devices to be self-powered without using battery. Therefore, it is essential to explore innovative nanotechnologies for converting mechanical energy (such as body movement, muscle stretching), vibration energy (such as acoustic/ultrasonic wave), and hydraulic energy (such as body fluid and blood flow) into electric energy that will be used to power nanodevices without using battery. We have demonstrated an innovative approach for converting mechanical energy into electric energy by piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowire (NW) arrays. The operation mechanism of the electric generator relies on the unique coupling of piezoelectric and semiconducting dual properties of ZnO as well as the elegant rectifying function of the Schottky barrier formed between the metal tip and the NW. Based on this mechanism, we have recently developed DC nanogenerator driven by ultrasonic wave in bio-fluid. We have also used textile fibers for energy harvesting. This presentation will introduce the fundamental principle of nanogenerator and its potential applications. Finally, a new field on nano-piezotronics is introduced, which uses piezoelectric-semiconducting coupled property for fabricating novel and unique electronic devices and components.

摘要：在传感技术、医疗科学、国防技术甚至人体电子学中，发展无线纳米器件与系统的新技术显得非常重要。特别的是，人体中植入生物医学器件，迫切需要发展不用外来电池，而只用自供应能源的无线器件。因此，完全有必要开发全新的纳米技术，将机械能 (如身体运动和肌肉伸展)、振动能 (如声音和超声波），液压能 (如身体中流体和血液流动) 转变为电能，用来驱动纳米器件。 这里展示了一项压电材料ZnO的纳米线阵列的创新装置，它可以把机械能量转变成电能。这种发电机的工作原理有赖于ZnO材料的压电与半导体双重特性的独特耦合作用，以及金属针尖与ZnO纳米线之间形成的肖特基势垒所起的优良整流作用。利用此工作机制，最近发展了一种生物流体中超声波驱动的直流纳米发电机。 此处还利用纺织纤维来进行能量收集。这些研究真正实现了“只要能动，就能发电”的愿望。本论坛将介绍这些纳米发电机的基本工作原理及其潜在应用。最后，介绍一个全新的科学领域—纳米压电电子学，它的基本思想是利用压电—半导体的耦合性质来制造崭新的独特的电子元器件。