Intelligent wearable technologies enabled by triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

Intelligent wearable technologies are advancing toward higher portability, multifunctionality, and autonomy, yet their widespread deployment is constrained by the limited endurance of conventional power sources and the growing energy demands of distributed sensor networks. The human body provides a continuous source of low-frequency biomechanical energy, offering a sustainable basis for self-powered wearables. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), leveraging the coupling of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, have therefore emerged as an enabling platform capable of harvesting biomechanical energy while simultaneously performing self-powered sensing, effectively addressing bottlenecks in energy supply and signal acquisition. In this perspective, we systematically review TENG-based intelligent wearable technologies, highlighting technical advances and application examples in physiological signal monitoring, biomedical applications, and human-machine interaction. Finally, we outline future directions in enhancing energy output, operational stability, and intelligent multifunctional integration, providing guidance for practical deployment and scalable development of TENG-based wearable technologies.

Keywords

Wearable technology / triboelectric nanogenerators / self-powered

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