A sea snake structure wave power generator for efficiently harvesting ocean wave energy with flexible structure

In this paper, we demonstrate a water wave harvester based on a snake structure, which adopts snake structure for harvesting blue energy with low wave frequency. Benefiting from the novel design, the device can realize a full packaged, light-weight and flexible structure which can be easily triggered by ocean waves with a low frequency. It demonstrates fundamental operating mechanism of electromagnetic unit, interdigital electrode unit and origami-inspired electret-based triboelectric unit. Firstly, electromagnetic unit is composed of wrapped acrylic tubes with Neodymium magnets (2cm) inside. Secondly, interdigital electrode unit is composed of wrapped acrylic tube which is same as the electrostatic unit, interdigital electrode and Neodymium magnets (2cm) which are covered by electret thin films. Thirdly, the origami-inspired electret-based triboelectric unit is composed of polyimide, electret thin films and copper conductive electrodes. The overall device is self-sustained spring structure, which is very robust during continuous excitation. Three ways of generating electricity can overcome their own weaknesses and has exhibited some key merits: raising output current, high energy conversion efficiency and steadily working in low wave frequency.