Application of Displacement-Current-Governed Triboelectric Nanogenerator in an Electrostatic Discharge Protection System for the Next-Generation Green Tire

Electrostatic discharge (ESD), a universal phenomenon derived from tribocharging and electrostatic induction, has always been regarded as a negative effect because it may cause various types of damage, such as gas explosions, wildfires, failure of integrated circuits, and so on. Normally, ESD is avoided by conducting those harmful charges through the surface or the whole bulk, by means of improving the conductivity of dielectrics or directly using conductive materials. However, the first approach compromises other performances at the same time, whereas the second one can be applied in only a few circumstances. In this Article, we analyzed the working principle of the triboelectric nanogenerator from the perspective of the time variation of the surface-charge-introduced polarization density ∂P_s/∂t, the second term of Maxwell's displacement current. Then, we demonstrated an electrostatic protective system by implanting a conductive layer under the tribocharging surface to form a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Theoretical derivation, finite element analysis, and experimental results prove that this system can efficiently prevent ESD without sacrificing any other performance. Finally, we applied it to the next generation of the green tire, which can save >10% of fuel but still cannot be commercialized due to the potential ESD risk. This research work reveals a way to prevent ESD and shows great potential in the field of engineering.