A Biodegradable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Temporary Biomedical Applications

Background and Aim: The outstanding development of biomedicalimplantable devices for wireless healthcare, monitoring, and diagnosticsystems, has pointed up the application of harvesting based onbiomechanical energy, such as contraction /expansion of the muscles,heart beating, blood pressure, breathing and continuous vibration of thelung. This technology could overcome most of the issues such as therequirement of external power sources like batteries, the low capacity ofthe batteries and psychological annoyance to the body.Methods: In this way, the use of triboelectric nanogenerators technologywas selected because of the wide range of material selection, easymanufacturing process, and desirable output power. In order to makedielectric layers, the polycaprolactone- graphene oxide (PCL/GO) andsilk fibroin fibrous layers were used and Ag particle was sputtered onboth of substrate as an electrode. The nanogenerator was encapsulatedby a protective layer of the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as abiodegradable polymer against moisture and the body s electrolyteenvironment. By applying a constant force (about 10N) and a frequencyof 2 Hz to the TENG, the short-circuit current and the open circuit voltagewere measured with the micro-ammeter and the oscilloscope.Results: Our triboelectric nanogenerators could even have a reasonableoutput by applying the encapsulated layer. Nanofibrous structure of layerswas also able to produce more efficiencies and power output relative toflat substrates. The friction layers possessed not only high strength andtoughness but also were susceptible to electrostatic acceptance.Conclusion: This work demonstrates the potential of biodegradabletriboelectric nanogenerators as a self-powered system for transientmedical devices

Keywords:

Self-powered system , Triboelectric nanogenerator , Biodegradability