Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Cellular Bioelectrical Stimulation

Abstract

Abstract Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are an efficient state‐of‐the‐art kinetic energy‐harvesting technology based on the combination of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction to generate electrical energy from ambient mechanical energy. Bioelectricity is a quintessential characteristic of living organisms and has a crucial role in physiological and medical sciences. Living cells are capable of generating electrical signals and responding to electrical stimulation, which are known to be key properties that regulate cellular behaviors and cell–microenvironment interactions. TENGs, with the advantages of miniaturization and efficiency, are notably exploited in efforts to provide self‐powered electrical stimulation to cells for functional modulation or fate determination, leading to a new methodology in biology and medical science. In this review, the progress, challenges, and future prospects of cellular bioelectrical stimulation with TENGs are focused. The regulation of cellular activity involved in functional modulation and fate determination stimulated by TENGs is highlighted. Furthermore, the application of cell activity changes stimulated by TENGs is stressed in tissue regeneration, physiological function rehabilitation, and electroporation‐based drug delivery for disease therapy. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of using TENGs for electrical stimulation are presented for cell engineering in the biosciences and health care.