Patent ID: 8022601

Claim:
A generator, comprising: a. a first conductive layer; b. a plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures extending upwardly from the first conductive layer, the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures including a carbon nanotube core and a piezoelectric sheath enveloping at least a portion of the carbon nanotube core, each of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures including a first end disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer and an opposite second end; and c. a conductive electrode disposed adjacent to the second end of each of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures, the conductive electrode configured so that a Schottky barrier is formed between the second end of at least one of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures and the conductive electrode when a force is applied to the generator that causes the conductive electrode to touch the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures and to induce stress in the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures.