Modular Design in Triboelectric Sensors: A Review on the Clinical Applications for Real-Time Diagnosis

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have garnered considerable interest as a promising technology for energy harvesting and stimulus sensing. While TENGs facilitate the generation of electricity from micro-motions, the modular design of TENG-based modular sensing systems (TMSs) also offers significant potential for powering biosensors and other medical devices, thus reducing dependence on external power sources and enabling biological processes to be monitored in real time. Moreover, TENGs can be customised and personalized to address individual patient needs while ensuring biocompatibility and safety, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and security of diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we concentrate on recent advancements in the modular design of TMSs for clinical applications with an emphasis on their potential for personalised real-time diagnosis. We also examine the design and fabrication of TMSs, their sensitivity and specificity, and their capabilities of detecting biomarkers for disease diagnosis and monitoring. Furthermore, we investigate the application of TENGs to energy harvesting and real-time monitoring in wearable and implantable medical devices, underscore the promising prospects of personalised and modular TMSs in advancing real-time diagnosis for clinical applications, and offer insights into the future direction of this burgeoning field.

An Anthocyanin-Based Eco-Friendly Triboelectric Nanogenerator for pH Monitoring and Energy Harvesting

“…When 2.5% anthocyanins were added, the power generation performance of the fiber film (V OC = 50.6 V, I SC = 317.7 nA, Q SC = 15.1 nC) was found to be similar to that of the crosslinked film, indicating that the addition of anthocyanins does not significantly impact the power generation performance of the pH-TENG. Due to the irregular and varying nature of mechanical energy from the environment, it is essential to investigate the relationship between the output of the pH−TENG and its frequency [47]. The influence of different frequencies on the power generation performance was examined, and the results are presented in Figure 3A-C.…”

“…Consequently, higher performance can be achieved at higher acceleration during energy harvesting. Due to the irregular and varying nature of mechanical energy from the environment, it is essential to investigate the relationship between the output of the pH-TENG and its frequency [47]. The influence of different frequencies on the power generation performance was examined, and the results are presented in Figure 3A-C.…”

From Body Monitoring to Biomolecular Sensing: Current Progress and Future Perspectives of Triboelectric Nanogenerators in Point-of-Care Diagnostics

“…Firstly, TENGs offer a sustainable and reliable power source that is crucial for PoCD’s operation in remote or power-limited environments. The ability of TENG to harness energy from everyday movements and environmental factors negates the dependence of PoCD systems on external power supplies [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. This aspect not only enhances their portability, but also significantly increases the accessibility of PoCD devices in various settings.…”

Array-Designed Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Healthcare Diagnostics: Current Progress and Future Perspectives

“…This gridlike framework inherently houses essential qualities such as enhanced sensitivity, superior spatial resolution, redundancy, and the ability for concurrent multi-detection, elements vital for dynamic monitoring functionalities [26][27][28][29]. Moreover, AD-TENGs are adept at registering subtle physiological alterations, thereby holding immense potential to steer the course of advancements in healthcare and wearable technology [30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. The overarching goal of the current research is to hone and maximize these attributes, promoting the evolution of robust, efficient, and precise data collection systems.…”