Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Self‐Powered Wound Healing

Abstract

Wound healing, one of the most complex processes in the human body, involves the spatial and temporal synchronization of a variety of cell types with distinct roles. Slow or nonhealing skin wounds have potentially life-threatening consequences, ranging from infection to scar, clot, and hemorrhage. Recently, the advent of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) has brought about a plethora of self-powered wound healing opportunities, owing to their pertinent features, including wide range choices of constitutive biocompatible materials, simple fabrication, portable size, high output power, and low cost. Herein, a comprehensive review of TENGs as an emerging biotechnology for wound healing applications is presented and covered from three unique aspects: electrical stimulation, antibacterial activity, and drug delivery. To provide a broader context of TENGs applicable to wound healing applications, state-of-the-art designs are presented and discussed in each section. Although some challenges remain, TENGs are proving to be a promising platform for human-centric therapeutics in the era of Internet of Things. Consequently, TENGs for wound healing are expected to provide a new solution in wound management and play an essential role in the future of point-of-care interventions.

Self-Healing Materials for Electronics Applications

“…Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have recently attracted intensive attention as a green and sustainable power source because of their benefits, which include low cost, ease of manufacture, vast material availability, high conversion efficiency, and diverse designability [ 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 ]. TENGs, which are based on the effects of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, have been shown to be an effective alternative for converting ubiquitous ambient mechanical energies into electricity, especially for mechanical motions at low frequencies [ 177 , 178 ].…”

Ultrasound-activable piezoelectric membranes for accelerating wound healing

“…5–7 In order to deliver a low-level current to the wound sites, traditional ES therapy usually needs to be conducted with an external power supply and electrodes connected to wires, resulting in limited flexibility and sustainability of these medical devices, which may cause inconvenience and discomfort for use in certain wound healing scenarios. 8–10 Therefore, there is a need to develop wireless and non-invasive power supply for ES therapy. As one of the wireless energy harvesting technologies, ultrasound (US) treatment transfers energy to the wound bed in the form of mechanical waves.…”

A self-powered wearable brain–machine-interface system for ceasing action

“…25–34 By combining self-powered techniques and a wearable brain–machine-interface system, it can be expected that a self-powered wearable brain–machine-interface system that attaches to the body and links to the brain can test physiological information in real time and simultaneously stimulate the brain to achieve ceasing action. 35–37…”

“…[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] By combining self-powered techniques and a wearable brain-machine-interface system, it can be expected that a self-powered wearable brain-machine-interface system that attaches to the body and links to the brain can test physiological information in real time and simultaneously stimulate the brain to achieve ceasing action. [35][36][37] Herein, a new self-powered wearable brain-machine-interface system for ceasing action has been realized with the functions of pulse detection and brain stimulation. This system can work without any external power supply, and can be self-powered by human daily activities.…”