Electric generator, also called dynamo, 

any machine that converts mechanical energy to

electricity for transmission and distribution over power lines to domestic, commercial, and
industrial customers. Generators also produce the electrical power required for automobiles,
aircraft, ships, and trains.

Nanowire, thin wire, generally having a diameter less than or equal to 100 nanometers (1 nm = 1
× 10−9 metre). The first nanoscale quantum-well wire (a thinly layered semiconductor structure)
was developed in 1987 by scientists at Bell Laboratories.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful technique that enables the imaging of almost
any type of surface, including polymers, ceramics, composites, glass and biological samples.
AFM is used to measure and localize many different forces, including adhesion strength,
magnetic forces and mechanical properties.

PVDF is the abbreviation for polyvinylidene fluoride, which can also be referred to as PVF2.
This polymer is part of a class of materials known as fluorocarbons or fluoropolymers, which are
characterized by high thermal stability and excellent chemical resistance.

Barium titanate (BTO) is an inorganic compound with chemical formula BaTiO3. Barium

titanate appears white as a powder and is transparent when prepared as large crystals. It is a
ferroelectric ceramic material that exhibits the photorefractive effect and piezoelectric properties.

PZT, or lead zirconate titanate is one of the world’s most widely used piezoelectric ceramic
materials. When fired, PZT has a perovskite crystal structure, each unit of which consists of a
small tetravalent metal ion in a lattice of large divalent metal ions. In the case of PZT, the small
tetravalent metal ion is usually titanium or zirconium.

Buck-boost converter - a type of DC-to-DC converter that has an output voltage magnitude that
is either greater than or less than the input voltage magnitude.

Pspice Simulator - a simulator created by Cadence Company that is usually suitable for
simulation and PCB design.

hybrid piezoelectric/electromagnetic/triboelectric/pyroelectric - multiple types of

piezoelectric generators

Nanofibers - cylindrical structures with an outer diameter below 1,000nm and an aspect ratio –
the ratio between length and width – greater than 50.