Recent advances in wearable textile‐based triboelectric generator systems for energy harvesting from human motion

Abstract

Large-area, flexible, and lightweight textile-based triboelectric generator (TTEG) technologies are promising power supplier by harvesting energy from human motions, wind, and water current. Numerous TTEG systems have been demonstrated. However, the challenges in their applications include the low electric output power, failure under wearing conditions, and adverse effects on the wearable performance like comfort and durability. What is the influence of system integration on the output performance of the TTEGs? What kinds of textile-structures have the most promising performance? How to make an effective TTEG system? In an attempt to answer these important questions, a critical review is presented on the recent advances of wearable TTEG systems in terms of textile structures, selection of materials, working modes, mechanisms of triboelectrification and charge transfer, energy storage, and their integrations. Furthermore, the major approaches or directions for improving the total conversion efficiency and performance of wearable TTEG systems are systematically summarized.

Recent Progress in the Energy Harvesting Technology—From Self-Powered Sensors to Self-Sustained IoT, and New Applications

“…Human monitoring is undoubtedly another crucial scenario for energy harvesting technology, which is promising evolved as self-powered or self-sustainable wearable/implantable systems for movement monitoring or therapy treatment. Corresponding prototypes can be clothes [226][227][228]; footwear such as socks [152,229], insoles [151,230] and shoes [231,232]; accessories such as glasses [156], wristbands [233,234], gloves [149,215,235], and patches [131,236,237]. Liu et al introduced a hybridized electromagnetic-triboelectric nanogenerator (HETNG) to extract energy and information from the inherent balance control processes, as shown in Figure 6a [238].…”

A Motion Capturing and Energy Harvesting Hybridized Lower‐Limb System for Rehabilitation and Sports Applications

“…[ 91 , 92 , 93 ] In particular, lower‐limb motions produce the highest power compared to other body parts, as indicated in Figure 1 a . [ 94 ] The general conversion mechanisms include electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric. Electromagnetic energy harvesters are characterized by high output current and low output voltage under high‐frequency vibrational conditions.…”

Flexible Photodetectors Based on All‐Solution‐Processed Cu Electrodes and InSe Nanoflakes with High Stabilities

“…Thanks to discoveries of novel materials and developments of engineering technologies, flexible electronics are flourishing in the marketplace and bringing tremendous conveniences to our daily life nowadays. [ 1–4 ] Substantial progresses have been accomplished in a broad scope of flexible electronics such as stretchable displays, [ 5,6 ] foldable solar cells, [ 7,8 ] smart textiles, [ 9–12 ] wearable healthcare gadgets, [ 13,14 ] soft robotics, [ 15,16 ] artificial muscles, [ 17,18 ] electronic skins, [ 19–22 ] and even implantable medical nanodevices. [ 23,24 ] On frequent occasion, fabrication of flexible electronics requires careful attentions and actions as mechanical deformation could occur to flexible substrates easily.…”