A Highly Stretchable Fiber‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self‐Powered Wearable Electronics

TLDR

Flexible and stretchable electronics are sought for wearable devices, yet conventional planar designs limit performance under high strain. The authors aim to create a highly stretchable, fiber‑based triboelectric nanogenerator for power generation. They design a fiber‑convolving structure with stretchable electrodes on elastic silicone rubber, enabling operation up to 70 % strain. The device powers a capacitor, LCD, digital watch, and self‑powered acceleration sensor, demonstrating its potential for power generation and sensing.

Abstract

The development of flexible and stretchable electronics has attracted intensive attention for their promising applications in next‐generation wearable functional devices. However, these stretchable devices that are made in a conventional planar format have largely hindered their development, especially in highly stretchable conditions. Herein, a novel type of highly stretchable, fiber‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (fiber‐like TENG) for power generation is developed. Owing to the advanced structural designs, including the fiber‐convolving fiber and the stretchable electrodes on elastic silicone rubber fiber, the fiber‐like TENG can be operated at stretching mode with high strains up to 70% and is demonstrated for a broad range of applications such as powering a commercial capacitor, LCD screen, digital watch/calculator, and self‐powered acceleration sensor. This work verifies the promising potential of a novel fiber‐based structure for both power generation and self‐powered sensing.