Highly Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on PVDF Nanofibers for Biomechanical Energy Harvesting and Telerehabilitation via Human Body Movement

Abstract

In this epoch of the Internet of Things, devices that scavenge mechanical energy and convert it into usable electrical energy are in high demand. Moreover, biomechanical energy harvesting from human motion is a very promising and clean method for powering wearable gadgets. Here a highly flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers with paper as counter material is fabricated. The assembled triboelectric nanogenerator displayed excellent output electrical performances consisting of an output voltage of 430 V, a short circuit current density of 0.9 mA/m <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> , and a peak power density of 0.6 W/m <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> . The flexible TENG device is capable of powering different electronic gadgets such as a calculator and digital thermometer. Additionally, the capability of the same to harness biomechanical energy effectively from human motion, such as finger tapping, wrist flexion, and elbow bending, is demonstrated, which can be effectively used in telerehabilitation.