A Hybrid Biofuel and Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Bioenergy Harvesting

Abstract

• A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a glucose fuel cell (GFC) were separately designed to harvest biomechanical energy from body motion and biochemical energy from glucose molecules. • A hybrid energy-harvesting system (HEHS) which consisted of TENG and GFC was developed successfully, and it can simultaneously harvest biomechanical energy and biochemical energy. ABSTRACT Various types of energy exist everywhere around us, and these energies can be harvested from multiple sources to power micro-/nanoelectronic system and even personal electronic products. In this work, we proposed a hybrid energy-harvesting system (HEHS) for potential in vivo applications. The HEHS consisted of a triboelectric nanogenerator and a glucose fuel cell for simultaneously harvesting biomechanical energy and biochemical energy in simulated body fluid. These two energy-harvesting units can work individually as a single power source or work simultaneously as an integrated system. This design strengthened the flexibility of harvesting multiple energies and enhanced corresponding electric output. Compared with any individual device, the integrated HEHS outputs a superimposed current and has a faster charging rate. Using the harvested energy, HEHS can power a calculator or a green light-emitting diode pattern. Considering the widely existed biomechanical energy and glucose molecules in the body, the developed HEHS can be a promising candidate for building in vivo self-powered healthcare monitoring system.

Flourishing energy harvesters for future body sensor network: from single to multiple energy sources

“…Moreover, the hybrid nanogenerator is demonstrated as a self-powered pressure sensor in bio-liquid, where the FBFC serves as the power source and PENG functions as the pressure sensor. Similarly, Li et al reported a hybrid biofuel and TENG on a larger scale as shown in Figure 6F (Li et al, 2020). The hybrid energy harvesting system (HEHS) incorporates a TENG and glucose fuel cell (GFC) on a flexible PET substrate for simultaneously ll OPEN ACCESS Figure 6.…”

A Review and Perspective for the Development of Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG)-Based Self-Powered Neuroprosthetics

“…To ensure the two layers can separate after the pressing, i.e., the two friction layers, there should be a backbone made with highly resilient materials, such as titanium. Then, considering that there are also other layers used for friction, electrode, and encapsulation, the actual thin-film device will have a multi-layer structure, as shown in Figure 4 (B1) [ 62 ]. Another design is the “keel structure”, as shown in Figure 4 (B2).…”

“…Considering that the above-mentioned three designs share similar materials and encapsulation process, their open-circuit voltage, V oc , can be a fair comparison. The design combining spacer and keel structure has a V oc of 90 V [ 64 ], which is higher than that of spacer design, i.e., 20 V [ 62 ], and keel structure design, i.e., 60 V [ 63 ].…”

“… The mechanical structure of implantable thin-film TENG devices. ( A1 ) The working principle of the TENG device; ( A2 ) The mechanical structure applied for automatic recovery after pressing; ( B1 ) The device with spacer and backbone structures [ 62 ]; ( B2 ) The device with keel structure. Reproduced with permission from [ 63 ].…”

A Self-Sustainable Wearable Multi-Modular E-Textile Bioenergy Microgrid System

“…Previous studies demonstrated only such combination working in proof-of-concept in-vitro settings, hence are challenging to be employed for real-life scenarios. [37][38][39] Adapting the microgrid design concept, this work seamlessly integrates biomechanical and biochemical harvesters along with energy storage devices, with carefully budgeted energy rating, into one e-textile platform for the first time. When this microgrid harvests energy during human movements, the TEG storage modules are firstly activated from the instant motion-induced charge generation to harvest biomechanical energy to rapidly boot the system, while the subsequently activated BFCs harvest biochemical energy from enzymatic reactions of sweat metabolites for prolonged power delivery (Fig.…”