Magnetic-responsive liquid-solid TENG

Self-powered corrosion monitoring

For the first time, a magnetic-responsive liquid-solid triboelectric nanogenerator enables self-powered, mobile, and non-invasive monitoring of iron-based metal corrosion by converting corrosion information into measurable electrical signals.

Wang, Tianyu · An, Cuihua · Juncheng, Luo · Gao, Lingxiao · Shuai, Wu · Deng, Qibo · Hu, Ning

Chemical Engineering Journal 2026

Specifications

Open-circuit voltage

{'zh': '65.2', 'en': '65.2'} V

Short-circuit current

{'zh': '9.2', 'en': '9.2'} μA

Advantages

Self-powered and maintenance-free

Based on triboelectrification effect, it converts corrosion information into electrical signals without external power, suitable for long-term unattended monitoring.

Mobile multi-level detection

Inspired by the locomotion of inchworms, a magnetically responsive soft robot was integrated with the liquid-solid triboelectric nanogenerator, providing a feasible solution for self-powered corrosion detection across multiple liquid levels under magnetic actuation.

First coupling model

Established the “corrosion-resistance-electrical signal” coupling model for the first time, enabling effective distinction of corrosion status of iron-based metals in critical components.

Remote wireless monitoring

Integrated STM32 microcontroller and wireless communication module to establish a remote self-powered unattended corrosion monitoring system.

Applications

• Metal corrosion monitoring：Real-time distinction of iron-based metal corrosion status for critical component health assessment.
• Self-powered sensors：Outputs corrosion electrical signals without external power, suitable for long-term autonomous monitoring.
• Infrastructure health monitoring：Integrates remote unattended system for long-term health monitoring of critical infrastructure.
• Soft robots：Magnetically responsive soft robot carries TENG for multi-level mobile detection.