Textile‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Smart Wearable Systems: Comfort, Integration, and Application

Abstract

Textile‐based triboelectric nanogenerators (t‐TENGs) possess the unique wearability characteristics of fabrics. The advent of t‐TENGs not only broadens the development direction of new materials in the textile industry but also endows TENGs with greater application potential. However, the electrical output and desired comfort properties of t‐TENGs remain limited and impractical. Important progress has been made in the exploitation of t‐TENGs in recent years. In this review, the basic classifications of comfort, including sensorial and tactile comfort, fit comfort, heat–moisture comfort, and appearance aesthetics, are introduced. Combining the wearability of textiles, the recent progress in the development of comfortable t‐TENGs is systematically summarized and discussed from the following aspects: tactile comfort of t‐TENGs, stretchability of t‐TENGs, breathability of t‐TENGs, washability of t‐TENGs, aesthetics of t‐TENGs, and multifunctionality of t‐TENGs. Additionally, the enhanced output performance, power management, integration strategies, and mass production of t‐TENGs are discussed, and the main applications of wearable t‐TENGs are described. Finally, the existing challenges and future research direction of t‐TENGs are presented, which may contribute to promoting further research and applications of wearable t‐TENGs.

A Machine‐Braided Flame‐Retardant Triboelectric Yarn/Textile for Fireproof Application

“…In the real application of textiles, air permeability and moisture permeability are important parameters reflecting the comfortability. [50] The air permeability of the FRT-TENG is 525.5 mm s −1 , and the water vapor transmission is as high as 294.13 g m −2 h −1 , indicating the high comfortability of the FRT-TENG, which should be attributed to its all-fiber structure without the use of any adhesion agent or dense metal film. [45] In order to characterize the energy output and flame-retardant performances enhancement effect of FR-PET on FRT-TENG, a flammable T-TENG (FT-TENG) sample is prepared by using the pure PET yarns without flame retardancy as sheath layer for comparison.…”

“…In the real application of textiles, air permeability and moisture permeability are important parameters reflecting the comfortability. [ 50 ] The air permeability of the FRT‐TENG is 525.5 mm s −1 , and the water vapor transmission is as high as 294.13 g m −2 h −1 , indicating the high comfortability of the FRT‐TENG, which should be attributed to its all‐fiber structure without the use of any adhesion agent or dense metal film. [ 45 ]…”

Transparent, Stretchable, and Adhesive Conductive Ionic Hydrogel-Based Self-Powered Sensors for Smart Elderly Care Systems

“…In recent years, there has been a growing interest in wearable electronic devices, which are increasingly used in the fields of the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotic haptics, and smart elderly care systems. − Usually, electronic device systems are mostly made of rigid synthetic polymer materials, which are not suitable for wearable devices. − There is a great need to develop the next generation of flexible wearable electronic devices that are soft, stretchable to accommodate body movements and preferably self-powered to avoid the use of bulky batteries and cumbersome charging steps. − Conductive gel polymers, including ionic liquid (IL) gel, ionic hydrogel, and organic hydrogel, are chemically or physically cross-linked three-dimensional polymer networks containing conductive materials and free-moving ions. − With tunable mechanical properties and conductivity, these soft gels have been extensively investigated to develop soft and stretchable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)-based self-powered sensors and integrate them into wearable human–machine interaction (HMI) devices. , …”

A Self‐Powered Power Management Circuit for Triboelectric Nanogenerators Utilizing Gas Discharge Tube

“…With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoTs), [1][2][3] powering numerous sensors has become a challenging issue. Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) is an emerging energy harvesting technology, which is an effective approach to address such issues.…”