Bio-Derived Natural Materials Based Triboelectric Devices for Self-Powered Ubiquitous Wearable and Implantable Intelligent Devices

The capability of devices in future ubiquitous networked wearable and implantable electronics to efficiently scavenge and store operational power from their working environment through sustainable pathways would enable viable self-powering schemes in societally-pervasive applications such as advanced healthcare and robotics. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can efficiently harvest the ubiquitous mechanical energy for powering electronics and sensors. However, the majority of demonstrated TENG prototypes have been built with materials that are not biodegradable or biocompatible, which significantly hinders the application of TENGs for wearable and implantable technologies. In this review, the recent progress of the wearable and implantable triboelectric devices built with bio-derived natural materials is summarized. The properties of these natural biopolymers are discussed in the context of self-powered triboelectric applications. The common manufacturing methods for processing these materials into triboelectric devices are also discussed. In addition, the applications of the bio-derived natural materials based TENGs for in vitro and in vivo applications are discussed. Finally, the outstanding challenges and potential opportunities for the development of bio-derived natural materials based triboelectric devices targeting wearable and implantable human-integrated applications are analyzed.