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The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), as a novel energy harvesting technology, has garnered widespread attention. As a relatively young field in nanogenerator research, investigations into various aspects of the TENG are still ongoing. This review summarizes the development and dissemination of the fundamental principles of triboelectricity generation. It outlines the evolution of triboelectricity principles, ranging from the fabrication of the first TENG to the selection of triboelectric materials and the confirmation of the electron cloud overlapping model. Furthermore, recent advancements in TENG application scenarios are discussed from four perspectives, along with the research progress in performance optimization through three primary approaches, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. Finally, the paper addresses the major challenges hindering the practical application and widespread adoption of TENGs, while also providing insights into future developments. With continued research on the TENG, it is expected that these challenges can be overcome, paving the way for its extensive utilization in various real-world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the prediction of piezoelectric coefficients, Young's moduli and shear moduli of unidirectional piezoelectric fiber/carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-reinforced polymer composites using a novel micromechanics modeling technique. The multiphase composite configuration is that piezoelectric fibers are embedded within a polymer matrix filled by CNT/GNP hybrids. Agglomeration of hybrid nanofillers as a significant factor is identified and incorporated in the micromechanical calculation. Parametric studies are carried out to understand the effect of volume fraction, size and dispersion type of carbonous nanofillers as well as the piezoelectric fiber volume fraction on the effective material constants of multiphase composites. It is found that in comparison with the piezoelectric fibrous composite, the piezoelectric fiber multiphase composite containing CNT/GNP hybrids shows better elastic and piezoelectric properties. Also, further improvement in effective properties can be obtained by increasing the length and percentage of CNTs and GNPs. But, degradation in the elastic and piezoelectric constants is observed by the agglomeration of CNT/GNP hybrids. The current results are found to be in close proximity with the experimental data and other numerical results available in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]