Work

Triboelectric nanogenerators as wearable power sources and self-powered sensors

Year: 2022

Type: review

Abstract: Smart wearable technologies are augmenting human bodies beyond our biological capabilities in communication, healthcare and recreation. Energy supply and information acquisition are essential for wearable electronics, whereas the increasing demands in multifunction are raising the requirements for energy and sensor devices. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), proven to be able to convert various mechanical energies into electricity, can fulfill either of these two functions and therefore has drawn extensive attention and research efforts worldwide. The everyday life of a human body produces considerable mechanical energies and, in the meantime, the human body communicates mainly through mechanical signals, such as sound, body gestures and muscle movements. Therefore, the TENG has been intensively studied to serve as either wearable sources or wearable self-powered sensors. Herein, the recent finding on the fundamental understanding of TENGs is revisited briefly, followed by a summary of recent advancements in TENG-based wearable power sources and self-powered sensors. The challenges and prospects of this area are given as well.

Source: National Science Review

DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac170

Authors: Xiong Pu, Chi Zhang, Zhong Lin Wang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,904