205 views | Created 2024.11.13 | Modified 2024.11.13 | Public Relations Team

·         Professor Taejun Ha (Department of Electronic Materials Engineering) and His Research Team was Interviewed by Advanced Science News

About their Sustainable Energy Harvesting Technology Using Biowaste-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators

- Based on the analysis of 252 studies on biowaste-based triboelectric nanogenerators published in the journal Advanced Science (IF: 14.3, JCR ranking: 93.5%), the research presents directions for improving energy conversion efficiency and explores the potential for application in next-generation bioelectronics -

<Professor Taejun Ha, Department of Electronic Materials Engineering>

The research lab of Professor Taejun Ha from the Department of Electronic Materials Engineering at our university conducted an interview with Advanced Science News regarding next-generation energy harvesting technology based on biowaste materials. This is because the paper titled "Biowaste-Derived Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Emerging Bioelectronics," published in Advanced Science (IF: 14.3, JCR ranking: 93.5%)―one of the top international journals in the field of materials science by Wiley―has garnered significant attention.

 (Reference: https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/biowaste-finds-new-life-in-energy-harvesting-devices/)

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which can generate power without an external power source through triboelectric effects, have significant potential due to their applicability in small mobile electronic devices and other applications. However, conventional materials used as triboelectric layers in TENGs are typically difficult to biodegrade and can release toxic substances during decomposition, contributing to electronic waste. As a result, there is growing global interest in developing eco-friendly energy harvesting technologies using environmentally sustainable and biodegradable materials.

The interview emphasized that biowaste, as an effective triboelectric material, not only enhances mechanical stability through hydrogen bonding but also enables the realization of eco-friendly, biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerators. The interview acknowledged that, compared to TENGs using conventional materials, biowaste-based TENGs still face challenges such as relatively low output voltage, durability issues, and shorter lifespans. However, it was explained that these challenges have the potential to be resolved through technological advancements. Additionally, the high efficiency of energy conversion relative to manufacturing costs positions biowaste-based TENGs as a promising next-generation sustainable energy harvesting technology. It was further noted that the material properties of eco-friendly, biodegradable biowaste significantly enhance its potential for application in next-generation bioelectronics, creating substantial synergy.

Professor Taejun Ha's research team is actively conducting extensive research not only on next-generation electronic devices based on advanced materials but also on energy harvesting technologies. Their accomplishments include publishing over 40 SCI journal papers including publications in top-tier international journals such as ACS Nano and Energy & Environmental Materials, along with securing more than 25 international and domestic patents in advanced functional materials and energy devices.

 https://www.kw.ac.kr/ko/life/research.jsp?BoardMode=view&DUID=48373&tpage=1&searchKey=1&searchVal=&srCategoryId=