Triboelectric nanogenerator built inside clothes for self-powered glucose biosensors

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on the contact-separation mode between a patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film and an Al foil was fabricated between clothes for harvesting body motion energy. Under the generally walking, the maximum output of voltage and current density are up to 17 V and 0.02 mu A/cm(2), respectively. The TENG with a single layer size of 2 cm x 7 cm x 0.08 cm sticking on the clothes was demonstrated as a sustainable power source that not only can directly light up 30 light-emitting diodes (LEDs), but also can charge a lithium ion battery by persistently clapping clothes. The electric energy stored in the lithium ion battery was used to power a biosensor for detecting glucose. The detection of bioactive chemicals in our body using the energy harvested from body motion is demonstrated. Moreover, due to the sensitivity and desirable stability to periodic vibration, the TENG was used to measure stride frequency as well. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.