Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) not only are able to harvest mechanical energy from the ambient environment or body and convert mechanical signals into electricity but can also inform us about pathophysiological changes and communicate this information using electrical signals, thus acting as medical sensors to provide personalized medical solutions to patients. In this review, we aim to present the latest advances in PENG-based non-invasive sensors for clinical diagnosis and medical treatment. While we begin with the basic principles of PENGs and their applications in energy harvesting, this review focuses on the medical sensing applications of PENGs, including detection mechanisms, material selection, and adaptive design, which are oriented toward disease diagnosis. Considering the non-invasive in vitro application scenario, discussions about the individualized designs that are intended to balance a high performance, durability, comfortability, and skin-friendliness are mainly divided into two types: mechanical sensors and biosensors, according to the key role of piezoelectric effects in disease diagnosis. The shortcomings, challenges, and possible corresponding solutions of PENG-based medical sensing devices are also highlighted, promoting the development of robust, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective medical systems that are helpful for the public.

The rapid development of sensing technology has created an urgent need for chemical sensor systems that can be rationally integrated into efficient, sustainable, and wearable electronic systems. In this case, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is expected to be a major impetus to such innovation because it can not only power the sensor by scavenging mechanical energies and transforming them into electricity but also act as the chemical sensor itself due to its intrinsic sensitivity towards the chemical reaction that occurs at the triboelectric interface. In this review, recent research achievements of chemical sensors that are based on TENGs are comprehensively reviewed according to the role of TENGs in the system, that is, pure power supplies or self-powered active chemical sensors. Focus is put on discussing the design criteria and practical applications of the TENG-based active sensors in different fields, which is unfolded with a classification that includes biosensors, gas sensors, and ion sensors. The materials selection, working mechanism, and design strategies of TENG-based active chemical sensor systems (CSSs) are also discussed, ending with a concise illustration of the key challenges and possible corresponding solutions. We hope this review will bring inspiration for the creation and development of TENG-based chemical sensors with higher sensitivity, simpler structure, and enhanced reliability.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have revolutionized energy harvesting and active sensing, holding tremendous potential in personalized healthcare, sustainable diagnoses, and green energy applications. In these scenarios, conductive polymers play a vital role in enhancing the performance of both TENG and TENG-based biosensors, enabling the development of flexible, wearable, and highly sensitive diagnostic devices. This review summarizes the impact of conductive polymers on TENG-based sensors, focusing on their contributions to triboelectric properties, sensitivity, detection limits, and wearability. We discuss various strategies for incorporating conductive polymers into TENG-based biosensors, promoting the creation of innovative and customizable devices tailored for specific healthcare applications. Additionally, we consider the potential of integrating TENG-based sensors with energy storage devices, signal conditioning circuits, and wireless communication modules, ultimately leading to the development of advanced, self-powered diagnostic systems. Finally, we outline the challenges and future directions in developing TENGs that integrate conducting polymers for personalized healthcare, emphasizing the need to improve biocompatibility, stability, and device integration for practical applications.

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