Tribo-Energy&sensing 2026
International Conference on Triboelectric Nanogenerators, Tribology, Energy Harvesting and Sensing
Date: January 20-21, 2026
Venue: IVA Conference Center, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA)
Address: Grev Turegatan 16, Stockholm, Sweden
About the conference
Tribo-Energy & Sensing (TE&S) 2026 is an international two-day conference dedicated to the science, engineering and applications of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The conference has a strong focus on the intersection between tribology, energy harvesting, sensing technologies and real-world applications.
The event brings together researchers and engineers from academia and industry to discuss fundamental mechanisms, device development and system-level demonstrations. Particular emphasis is placed on how tribological phenomena influence triboelectric performance, as well as how TENG-based systems can enable new approaches to sensing, monitoring and autonomous operation.
Scientific background
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG)
Triboelectric nanogenerators are an emerging energy-harvesting technology that converts mechanical energy from contact, friction or motion into electrical energy. Typical sources include vibrations, rotation, human activity and environmental forces.
From a scientific perspective, TENGs extend classical electrodynamics by introducing motion-induced displacement currents. They provide a powerful platform for studying contact electrification, interfacial charge transfer and mechano-electrical energy conversion at micro- and nanoscales. This has led to new research directions such as tribotronics and contact-electro-catalysis.
Tribology
Tribology is the science of interacting surfaces in relative motion. It encompasses friction, wear, lubrication, contact mechanics and surface engineering. The field addresses how surfaces degrade over time, how lubricants and coatings modify interfacial processes, and how systems can be designed for durability and reduced energy loss.
Linking TENGs and tribology
Triboelectric phenomena originate at contacting surfaces, making tribological properties such as surface chemistry, roughness, wear, running-in behavior and lubrication critical to charge generation, stability and device lifetime. At the same time, TENGs enable new self-powered sensors for monitoring friction, wear and system condition.
TE&S 2026 highlights this two-way relationship. Tribology is used to improve TENG performance and reliability, while TENGs open new possibilities for tribological measurement and autonomous systems.
Conference scope
TE&S is established as a new international conference series focusing on the interaction between triboelectric energy harvesting and tribology. The conference welcomes original, high-quality contributions covering fundamental research, device innovation, experimental validation and industrial applications.
Contributions combining tribological science with TENG development, real-world testing and system-level demonstrations are particularly encouraged.
Conference topics
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG)
- Theory and fundamental science of TENGs
- Physics of contact electrification
- Contact-electro-catalysis
- Tribovoltaic effects at semiconductor interfaces
- Tribotronics and triboelectric control of electronic devices
- Design, materials and fabrication of TENGs
- Surface engineering, coatings and lubricants for performance and durability
- Tribology-driven optimization of TENGs, including wear, friction and lifetime
Science and technology in tribology
- Friction mechanisms and friction reduction strategies
- Wear mechanisms, testing and quantification
- Lubrication science, including boundary, mixed and elastohydrodynamic lubrication
- Contact mechanics and surface topography
- Tribochemistry and tribocorrosion
- Lubricants, greases and additives, including bio-based solutions
- Surface coatings, thin films and wear-resistant materials
- Tribological modeling, multiscale simulations and digital twins
Submission types
- Abstracts (1-2 pages) for late-breaking results, demonstrations or early-stage work. Accepted abstracts are included in the conference booklet and dedicated sessions.
- Workshops, tutorials and special sessions based on 1-2 page proposals describing scope, format and target audience.
- Industry application notes and case studies (2-4 pages) focusing on deployment, field testing and industrial adoption.
Abstract submission deadline: December 15, 2025
Submission email: TES2026@tribo-energy-sensing.se
Program overview
The program is structured to reflect the close interaction between tribology and triboelectric energy and sensing technologies. Plenary sessions establish common scientific ground, while parallel symposia allow in-depth discussion of fundamental mechanisms, materials development, device concepts and applications. The format is designed to promote cross-disciplinary exchange and long-term relevance beyond the conference itself.
The scientific program spans two full days and combines plenary keynote lectures, invited talks, parallel symposia, oral presentations, poster sessions and demonstrations. A dedicated industry track highlights applied developments and case studies.
The structure is designed to balance fundamental science with engineering applications, and to encourage interaction between tribology and triboelectric energy and sensing communities.
Program structure
Plenary and invited presentation titles
The conference program included the following plenary and invited presentation titles:
- Energy Harvesting through Triboelectrification: A Journey from Fundamentals to Devices
- Layered and 2D Materials for Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Self-Powered and Adaptive Tactile Systems: Bridging Human and Robotic Touch
- Maximising Energy Output from Triboelectric Harvesters Through Optimization
- Mechanisms of Polymer Contact Electrification: Charge Species and Driving Force
- Power Management System for High-Efficiency Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Enhancing Power Output of Triboelectric Nanogenerators through Electrode Engineering and Materials Integration
- Tribocorrosion and Multidegradation - Key but Neglected Wear Mechanisms in the Green Energy Transition
- Energy Challenges from a Materials Perspective
- Is Triboelectricity Confused, Confusing or Complex?
- Simulations of Tribological Phenomena
Symposium presentation titles
Symposium A - Fundamentals of Contact Electrification & Interfacial Charge Transfer
- TENG-Based Neuromorphic Tactile Systems: Sensing and Learning
- Regulation of the Electrical Double Layer: Contact-Electro-Chemistry
- The Changes in the Molecular Orbitals of Triboelectric Materials Due to Structural Distortion
- In-Operando Electrical Characterization of Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Taking Charge off Droplets
- From Hands-On TENGs to Li-S Batteries: Low-Cost Platforms for Learning and Exploration
- Hofmeister Series-Driven Regulation of the Electrical Double Layer in Eutectogels for Enhanced Single-Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Symposium B - Materials & Structural Design for High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Synergistic Structural Effects in Nanocellulose Papers for TENGs
- Incorporation of MXene into Polyvinylidene Fluoride and Its Effect on Tribological and Triboelectrical Properties
- Adamantane Plasma Polymer: A Vacuum-Processed Thin Film for All-Triboelectric Nanogenerator Configurations
- Three-Dimensional Printing of Triboelectric Nanogenerators by Digital Light Processing for Mechanical Energy Harvesting
- From Pores to Power: Intrusion-Extrusion Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Tribovoltaic Effect in Metal-Semiconductor Coupling: Design and Optimization of the Set-Up and Investigation of the Al-Si Tribo-Pair
- Unravelling the Fabrication of ZnO Ceramics via Laser Micro-3D Printing for Hybrid Piezo-Tribo Energy Harvesting
Symposium C - Devices & Applications of Triboelectric Energy and Sensing
- High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Self-Powered Intelligent Sports Systems
- Biocompatible Energy Harvesting Platforms for In-Body Applications
- Pendulum-Structured Hybrid Wave Energy Harvester with Triboelectric and Electromagnetic Generators for Efficient Low-Frequency Energy
- Hybrid Energy Harvesting from Mechanical and Thermal Stimuli for Sustainable Energy Sensing on Soft Templates
- Influence of Material Surface and Intrinsic Properties on Performance of Polymer-Based TENGs
- Development of Self-Powered Tribophotonic Devices for Electro-Optical Modulation
- Neuromorphic Sensory Systems for Biomedical Applications
Symposium D - Tribology, Lubrication & Mechanical Interactions in Triboelectric Systems
- Intelligent Self-Lubricating Composites with Core-Shell Micro- and Nanoparticles
- Tribovoltaic Effect and Self-Powered Intelligent Bearings
- High-Temperature Tribology
- Interfacial Water as a Hidden Design Variable in Ionic and Tribological Systems: Insights from Multiscale Simulation
- Ferroelectric-Controlled Friction at β-Phase PVDF/Graphene Interfaces
- Friction-Reduction and Anti-Wear Design of Silicon-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Symposium E - Fundamentals of Contact Electrification & Interfacial Charge Transfer
- From the Discovery of Power Generation via Collision to Electro-Electric Induction
- Investigations on Contact-Electro-Catalysis Mechanisms and Applications
- The Influence of Humidity and Gas Types on the Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Scalable Exfoliation of Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Triboelectric Nanogenerators in Self-Powered Environmental Monitoring
- Contact-Electro-Catalysis (CEC)
- Laser-Induced Graphene Embedded Electrospun PVDF-ZnO Hybrid Nanogenerator for Enhanced Piezo-Tribo Energy Harvesting
Symposium F - Materials & Structural Design for High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerators
- Super-Stretchable Organogel Ionic Conductor for Energy Harvesting and Multi-Mode Wearable Sensing
- From Fundamentals to Engineering Sustainable Triboelectric Materials: A Brief Review of Cellulose Platforms
- Ex-Situ Synthesized Bacterial Cellulose-Aloe Vera Hydrogels for Sustainable Triboelectric Energy Harvesting
- Folded Triboelectric Energy Harvester for Smart Tires
- Three-Dimensional Chiral Networks and Networking Strategies for High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerators in Blue Energy Harvesting
Symposium G - Devices & Applications of Triboelectric Energy and Sensing
- Tribotronic Modulation of Semiconductor Devices through Contact-Electrification Field-Effect Transistors
- Tribopotential-Modulated Field-Effect Transistors and Interactive Neuromorphic Transistors
- A Self-Powered Soft Triboelectric-Electrohydraulic Pump
- Self-Powered Intelligent Fluid Dynamics Sensing Systems
- Antifouling Hydrogel-Based Flexible TENG for Wearable Motion and Voice Recognition
Symposium H - Tribology, Lubrication & Mechanical Interactions in Triboelectric Systems
- The Adsorbing and Shearing Behavior of Hydrated Ions and Hydration Lubrication
- Multifunctional Smart Tribovoltaic Coatings Integrating Ultra-Wear-Resistant, Self-Lubricating and Self-Driven In-Situ Sensing
- Tribovoltaic Nanogenerators in Contact-Separation Mode
- Lignin-Based Gel Networks as High-Performance and Sustainable Lubricants
- Tribology and Testing of Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Plenary speakers
The plenary program features leading international researchers in tribology, materials science and energy harvesting, including:
- Professor Daniele Dini, Imperial College London, UK
- Professor Max Marian, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany
- Professor Sohini Kar-Narayan, University of Cambridge, UK
- Doctor Daniil Yurchenko, University of Southampton, UK
- Professor Andris Šutka, Riga Technical University, Latvia
- Professor Philippe Basset, Univ Gustave Eiffel / ESIEE Paris, France
- Doctor Giuseppina Pace, CNR-IMM, Italy
- Professor Nuria Espallargas, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
- Professor Federico Rosei, University of Trieste, Italy
- Professor Laurence Marks, Northwestern University, USA
Organization
Conference chairs
- Professor Roland Larsson, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
- Professor Zhong Lin Wang, Georgia Institute of Technology and Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, China
- Professor Yijun Shi, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
- Professor Baodong Chen, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, China
Scientific committee
The conference is supported by an international scientific committee representing universities and research institutes across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
Organizing committee
- Professor Andreas Larsson, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
- Associate Professor Renyun Zhang, Mid Sweden University, Sweden
- Professor Yijun Shi, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
Venue
TE&S 2026 was hosted at the IVA Conference Centre, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, located in central Stockholm near Stureplan and Östermalm.
Accessibility
The conference was held in accessible facilities. Accessibility considerations and dietary needs were addressed as part of the event planning to support inclusive participation.
Visa and invitation letters
Participants requiring an official invitation letter for visa or institutional travel purposes may contact the organizers via the conference email. Early requests are recommended.
Accessibility and special needs
The IVA Conference Centre is accessible. Participants with specific accessibility requirements or dietary needs are encouraged to inform the organizers so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Further information
Up-to-date information on the program, speakers and practical details will be published continuously on the conference website.
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