Triboelectrification-muscle dynamics framework for developing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) as implantable bio-applications

With explosive development and demand of implantable bio-applications, battery replacement becomes a key issue to achieve permanent implantation in vivo.

Recent advances in energy nanogenerators have allowed for self-power function by conversing mechanical energy to electric energy, promising the battery-free implantation of bio-applications.

Among the emerging nano harvesting technologies, triboelectrification initially proposed in 2012 is the front one due to universal availability, from enormous to tiny movements and even low-frequency motion in vivo.

Another advantage of triboelectrification is the abundant choices of materials to meet the requirement of biocompatibility. Hence, the triboelectrification is the enabling technology for the next generation self-powered implant.

Recently, researchers have commenced implanting triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) in animals to evaluate the potential of energy harvesting from heart beating and respiration.

However, the understanding of interactions between triboelectrification and muscle dynamics for energy harvesting is unclear.

The experiments are limited in measuring, explaining and quantifying the performance of TENG by ignoring the complex dynamics of muscles, significantly hindering the application of TENG as implantable device.

The proposal aims to develop a triboelectrification-muscle dynamics (TEMD) framework based on experiment and modelling to support the design, characterization and optimization of TENG for implantable bio-applications under different muscle dynamics on macro/nano scales.

The framework will be able to (1) predict the output performance of TENG at any position of specific muscle, and (2) to design and optimize TENG in certain circumstances for the improvement of performance and durability.

Such framework will also provide solid foundations and physical-mechanical guidance for other implantable energy harvesters, such as piezoelectric and flexoelectric nanogenerators.