Stretchable and Shape‐Adaptable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Biocompatible Liquid Electrolyte for Biomechanical Energy Harvesting and Wearable Human–Machine Interaction

Abstract

The significant demand of sustainable power sources has been triggered by the development of wearable electronics (e.g., electronic skin, human health monitors, and intelligent robotics). However, tensile strain limitation and low conformability of existing power sources cannot match their development. Herein, a stretchable and shape‐adaptable liquid‐based single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (LS‐TENG) based on potassium iodide and glycerol (KI‐Gly) liquid electrolyte as work electrode is developed for harvesting human motion energy to power wearable electronics. The LS‐TENG demonstrates high output performances (open‐circuit voltage of 300 V, short‐circuit current density of 17.5 mA m–2, and maximum output power of 2.0 W m–2) and maintains the stable output performances without deterioration under 250% tension stretching and after 10 000 cycles of repeated contact‐separation motion. Moreover, the LS‐TENG can harvest biomechanical energy, including arm shaking, human walking, and hand tapping, to power commercial electronics without extra power sources. The LS‐TENG attached on different joints of body enables to work as self‐powered human motion monitor. Furthermore, a flexible touch panel based on the LS‐TENG combined with a microcontroller is explored for human–machine interactions. Consequently, the stretchable and shape‐adaptable LS‐TENG based on KI‐Gly electrolyte would act as an exciting platform for biomechanical energy harvesting and wearable human–machine interaction.

Electronic View of Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting: Mechanisms and Applications

“…The single‐electrode mode has been diversely investigated and applied in multiple energy harvesters and self‐powered wearable devices. Due to its abundant choices in materials selection, a stretchable and shape‐adaptable liquid‐based single‐electrode TENG (LS‐TENG) has been reported by Wang et al [ 26 ] Long‐term stable potassium iodide and glycerol (KI‐Gly) is regarded as a durable and safe electrolyte liquid for repetitive motions, such as arm shaking and hand tapping. In another case, a flexible single‐electrode TENG is manufactured with MXene/PDMS, which can light up 80 light emitting diodes (LEDs) with periodic hand hammering.…”

Autocharging Techniques for Implantable Medical Applications

“…Energy Harvesting e triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is based on the triboelectrification and electrostatic induction coupling properties. e surfaces of the two friction layers are charged with triboelectric effects as they come into contact due to the triboelectrification influence [1,5,19]. Zheng et al developed a TENG energy harvester based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film that was inserted beneath the rat's left chest skin.…”

Autonomously Adhesive, Stretchable, and Transparent Solid‐State Polyionic Triboelectric Patch for Wearable Power Source and Tactile Sensor

“…), ionic conductors, [ 26–29 ] liquid metals, [ 30,31 ] and liquid electrolytes. [ 32 ] Although nanofiller conductive composites can realize remarkable stretchability of TENGs, they suffer from break degradation of percolation networks and a sharp decrease in conductivity during stretching. And these devices also lack sufficient transparency because of the doping of nanofillers.…”