Hybrid energy harvesting technology: From materials, structural design, system integration to applications

The last decade has witnessed significant advances in energy harvesting technology for the realization of self-charging electronics and self-powered wireless sensor nodes (WSNs). To conquer energy-insufficiency issue a single harvester, hybrid systems have been proposed recent years. Hybrid includes not only scavenging from multiple sources, but also converting into electricity by types transduction mechanisms. A reasonable hybridization conversion mechanisms improves space utilization efficiency can boost power output significantly. Given continuously growing trend technology, herein we present comprehensive review progress representative works, especially focusing on vibrational thermal harvesters which play dominant role harvesting. working principles typical configurations piezoelectric, electromagnetic, triboelectric, thermoelectric pyroelectric effects are briefly introduced. On this basis, variety systems, including mechanisms, configurations, performance advantages, elaborated. Comparisons perspectives effectiveness provided. potential application prospects discussed, infrastructure health monitoring, industry condition smart transportation, human healthcare marine monitoring aerospace engineering, towards future Internet-of-Things (IoT) era.