A Review of Recent Development of Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerators Aiming at Human Clothing for Energy Conversion

Abstract

Research in the field of wearable triboelectric generators is increasing, and pioneering research into real applications of this technology is a growing need in both scientific and industry research. In addition to the two key characteristics of wearable triboelectric generators of flexibility and generating friction, features such as softness, breathability, washability, and wear resistance have also attracted a lot of attention from the research community. This paper reviews wearable triboelectric generators that are used in human clothing for energy conversion. The study focuses on analyzing fabric structure and examining the integration method of flexible generators and common fibers/yarns/textiles. Compared to the knitting method, the woven method has fewer restrictions on the flexibility and thickness of the yarn. Remaining challenges and perspectives are also investigated to suggest how to bring fully generated clothing to practical applications in the near future.

A Review of Recent Advances in Human-Motion Energy Harvesting Nanogenerators, Self-Powering Smart Sensors and Self-Charging Electronics

“…There are many different divisions in terms of the materials used and the complexity of the TENG structure, and we believe that this topic has been comprehensively described in many review papers [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ]. Therefore, due to the extensiveness of the topic, it will be described very briefly.…”

Fabrication of low-cost and environmental-friendly EHD printable thin film nanocomposite triboelectric nanogenerator using household recyclable materials

“…We have numerous energy sources around us, including heat, wind, and light, where mechanical energy sources lead significantly, as low-frequency mechanical vibrations are commonly detected. TENGs have emerged as a low-cost, effective, and efficient energy source for less power consumption portable sensors and electronic gadgets like torches, calculators, LEDs, smart bracelets, and pH sensors [25][26][27][28]. TENGs are a potential technology because they can generate electrical output using electrostatic induction and triboelectric charging principles from various low frequencies, environmental, and mechanically driven sources.…”

Polyvinylidene Fluoride/Aromatic Hyperbranched Polyester of Third-Generation-Based Electrospun Nanofiber as a Self-Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wearable Energy Harvesting and Health Monitoring Applications

“…Recently, the need for human interaction applications including synthetic e-skin and health management (temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration and heartbeat) robots has increased due to the development of self-powered adaptable wearables [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Human-generated, low-frequency mechanical energy (body movements) can be transformed into electrical energy in wearable devices, which can effectively be used as energy harvesters [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Initiated by Wang’s group, and depending on the effects of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can transform an implied mechanical force into an electrical signal [ 29 ]. TENGs have already been explored extensively as well as being applied in self-powered sensors due to their flexible device structural system, maximum output energy, high energy-conversion efficiency, and wide range of available materials [ 11 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. To examine human activity, the TENG strain sensor’s sensitivity should be further increased [ 6 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…TENGs can operate in a variety of ways, but the majority of them have been observed to operate in contact separation, which occurs when two surfaces with two electron affinities encounter each other [ 6 , 38 ]. The quantity of the transferred charge resulting from contact electrification is determined by the number of electrons lost or gained on the frictional surface [ 11 ]. Thus, it can raise the charges just on triboelectric surfaces to enhance the polarity distinction between the two contacting layers, thereby improving output triboelectric efficiency [ 39 ].…”