Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Promoting the Proliferation and Migration of Human Fibroblast Cells

Abstract

Chronic wound healing is often a prolonged process with the migration and proliferation of fibroblast cells playing crucial roles. Electrical stimulation (ES) has emerged as a promising physical therapy modality to promote these key events. In this study, we address this issue by employing a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as an electrical stimulator for both drug release and the stimulation of fibroblast cells. The flexible TENG with a sandwich structure was fabricated using a PCL nanofibrous layer, Kapton, and silicon rubber. The TENG could be folded to any degree and twisted, and it could return to its original shape when the force was removed. Cultured cells received ES twice and three times daily for 8 days, with a 30 min interval between sessions. By applying current in a safe range and appropriate time (twice daily), fibroblasts demonstrate an accelerated proliferation and migration rate. These observations were confirmed through cell staining. Additionally, in vitro tests demonstrated the TENG's ability to simultaneously provide ES and release vitamin C from the patch. After 2 h, the amount of released drug increased 2 times in comparison to the control group. These findings provide support for the development of a TENG for the treatment of wounds, which underlines the promise of this new technique for developing portable electric stimulation devices.

Highly Stretchable, Conductive, Adhesive, and Self-Powered Ionogel Sensor for Human Motion Detection, Signal Transmission, and Traffic Monitoring

“…Flexible TENG requires both the friction electric layer and the electrode layer to be flexible and stretchable. While there is a wide range of candidate materials for flexible friction electric layers, − there are still a limited number of flexible and biomimetic skin electrode materials, which should perform well and be stable, but not be damaged by stretching, twisting, bending, and other external forces . Conventional flexible conductive materials, such as conductive silver paste, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, are hardly allowed to be produced on a large scale due to their expensive cost or complex preparation processes. − Therefore, it is of great importance to explore and develop high-performance flexible bionic skin electrode materials for TENG in electronics.…”