Wearable and implantable medical devices are constantly hungry for electricity to power their functions. Batteries, their lifetime, whether they can be recharged, and other related issues influence the design, usability, and functionality of electrically powered medical tech. Triboelectric generators that convert mechanical energy into electricity are an ideal solution, but their efficiency and other limitations have prevented their adoption in the medical space.
Researchers at Purdue University have now developed a liquid-metal-inclusion based triboelectric nanogenerator, dubbed LMI-TENG, that can produce meaningful amounts of electricity from natural body movements, such as those of the hands or feet. Because the technology is based on liquid components, it is particularly suited to conforming to the human body and bending naturally along with it.
The device is made from a layer of a liquid metal and silicone that is surrounded by Ecoflex, a skin-like material used in prosthetics and orthotics. The interior is formed into triboelectric nanogenerators and as the who device is deformed, the generators work together to produce a current.
This is a work in progress, and is really an approach that can lead to a variety of triboelectric generators optimized for different functions and use cases.
Here’s a Purdue University video about the research:
Flashbacks: New Device Harnesses Heartbeats to Power Medical Implants…; Skin Patch Generates Electricity to Energize Implants, Wearables…; Flexible Self-Powered Knee Sensor for Rehab Monitoring..,; Cheap Electrochemical Diagnostic System Featuring a Triboelectric Generator…
Study in Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Wearable high-dielectric-constant polymers with core–shell liquid metal inclusions for biomechanical energy harvesting and a self-powered user interface…
Via: Purdue University…