Advances in Bioresorbable Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract

With the growing demand for next-generation health care, the integration of electronic components into implantable medical devices (IMDs) has become a vital factor in achieving sophisticated healthcare functionalities such as electrophysiological monitoring and electroceuticals worldwide. However, these devices confront technological challenges concerning a noninvasive power supply and biosafe device removal. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure continuous operation and patient comfort and minimize the physical and economic burden on the patient and the healthcare system. This Review highlights the promising capabilities of bioresorbable triboelectric nanogenerators (B-TENGs) as temporary self-clearing power sources and self-powered IMDs. First, we present an overview of and progress in bioresorbable triboelectric energy harvesting devices, focusing on their working principles, materials development, and biodegradation mechanisms. Next, we examine the current state of on-demand transient implants and their biomedical applications. Finally, we address the current challenges and future perspectives of B-TENGs, aimed at expanding their technological scope and developing innovative solutions. This Review discusses advancements in materials science, chemistry, and microfabrication that can advance the scope of energy solutions available for IMDs. These innovations can potentially change the current health paradigm, contribute to enhanced longevity, and reshape the healthcare landscape soon.

Self-Powered Medical Implants Using Triboelectric Technology

“…Taking advantage of the diversity in materials selection, TENG-based medical implants exhibit high flexibility and stretchability, thereby endowing conformal tissue interfaces with minimal immune responses. − Besides, since TENGs are not limited to charging energy supplies and offer the electrical stimulation by themselves, personalized medicine can be implemented by considering the characteristics of TENGs. Medical conditions, addressable by TENG-integrated medical implants, can be classified based on the treatment duration (Figure e) . For long-term clinical treatments requiring over one year, the necessity for a wireless communication system arises to verify the effective operation of the medical implants.…”

“…The reduced capacity of these downsized power supplies poses a challenge in covering multifaceted functionalities such as sensing and wireless communication. 5 Consequently, to overcome these limitations, there is a growing demand for integrating energy harvesting systems to establish self-powered medical implants. Energy harvesting technologies have been widely developed as a reliable and sustainable power source for continuous functionality by powering medical implants.…”

“…Medical conditions, addressable by TENG-integrated medical implants, can be classified based on the treatment duration (Figure 1e). 5 For long-term clinical treatments requiring over one year, the necessity for a wireless communication system arises to verify the effective operation of the medical implants. Meanwhile, for short-term clinical treatments with a duration of less than one year, there is a growing focus on the bioresorbable material-based transient TENGs.…”

“…However, as the dimensions of their components decrease, the size of the power supply concomitantly diminishes. The reduced capacity of these downsized power supplies poses a challenge in covering multifaceted functionalities such as sensing and wireless communication . Consequently, to overcome these limitations, there is a growing demand for integrating energy harvesting systems to establish self-powered medical implants.…”

High Strength and Toughness Polymeric Triboelectric Materials Enabled by Dense Crystal-Domain Cross-Linking

“…Flexible polymeric materials with exceptional mechanical properties hold immense potential for diverse applications in aerospace, bioengineering, wearable sensing, and beyond. − However, achieving an ideal balance between strength and toughness remains a challenge. , Strengthening polymeric materials typically restricts polymer chain mobility, consequently compromising toughness. , In triboelectric wearable sensing, meticulously tailoring the strength-toughness interplay in polymeric triboelectric materials is crucial for adapting to varying forces, ensuring high compatibility with users, and accurately capturing user motion changes. − Therefore, overcoming this strength-toughness dilemma to achieve customizable mechanical properties in polymeric triboelectric materials is of paramount importance.…”