A wearable muscle telescopic monitoring sensor with an adjustable double-sponge-modular structure based on triboelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

Monitoring and analyzing the state of human muscle is becoming a focus of research in exercise and medicine. Traditional devices (EMG, MRI, X-ray, etc.) cannot provide long-term and stable dynamic monitoring of human muscles due to usage scenarios and expert diagnosis. Here we propose a new triboelectric nanogenerator of modular muscle sensor (MMS-TENG), which is based on a flexible conductive sponge, polyurethane sponge, Fluorinated ethylene propylene film, and nylon elastic bandage that can be fixed to the torso of the human body. Due to the modular design of the sensor and three-dimensional grid structure from conductive sponge, and polyurethane sponge, it features an adjustable sensitivity function, allowing for sensitivity adjustments based on workout mode and measurement position. It is fastened to the measured component using an elastic band, with a minimum resolution of 0.001 N and a response delay of 2 ms, with a minimum frequency of 0.1 Hz. It keeps the current output stable for 360,000 cycles. MMS-TENG can capture signals related to the stretching and trembling of muscles. It has great potential in the personal gym and health management, such as correcting train posture, gathering ride data, and monitoring fatigue displays. A double-sponge-based modular sensor was developed to monitor the expansion and contraction status of muscles in different parts by monitoring the changes in muscle circumference, and to realize personalized monitoring under different sensitivities through adjustable nylon straps and low-latency double-sponge-based pressure sensors, and to maintain stable output under long-term operation, and at the same time to realize real-time monitoring of muscle state changes in future sports in a simple production way. • Shortening the preparation time, a simple structural design can simplify the optimization process of sensor. • Adjustable sensitivity collects muscle states from different parts. • Muscle stretching changes can be detected as low as 0.1hz.