Piezoelectric and Semiconducting Coupled Nanogenerators

Abstract

An electrical generator includes a substrate, a semiconductor piezoelectric structure having a first end and an opposite second end disposed adjacent to the substrate, a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact. The structure bends when a force is applied adjacent to the first end, thereby causing an electrical potential difference to exist between a first side and a second side of the structure. The first conductive contact is in electrical communication with the first end and includes a material that creates a Schottky barrier between a portion of the first end of the structure and the first conductive contact. The first conductive contact is also disposed relative to the structure in a position so that the Schottky barrier is forward biased when the structure is deformed, thereby allowing current to flow from the first conductive contact into the first end.