Zaps of static electricity can be an untapped source of energy. A device called a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy using triboelectric effect static by using inexpensive store-bought tape, plastic and aluminum metal. Using single-sided tape with thick, heavy-duty layers, power is generated by the interaction between the polypropylene backing of the tape and the acrylic adhesive layer. The smooth surfaces can easily stick and unstick from one another, enabling the TENG to be rapidly connected and disconnected, generating power. The device produced a maximum power of 53 milliwatts and created enough power to light more than 350 LED lights and a laser pointer.
www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/january/research-update-generating-electricity-from-tacky-tape.html