Triboelectric Skin-Interface Energy Scavenging via Epidermal Electrode Arrays for Implantable Cardiac Devices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3117-5481/AIJCST-V6I5P110Keywords:
Triboelectric Nanogenerator, Epidermal Electrode, Energy Harvesting, Implantable Cardiac Device, Self-Powered Sensing, Skin-Interface Mechanics, Biodegradable Polymer, Kirigami Electrode, Electrophysiology, Biomechanical Energy, Cardiac Pacemaker, Stretchable ElectronicsAbstract
The fundamental problem with implantable cardiac devices (ICDs) like pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators is that they have a finite battery life, requiring repeated surgical replacements that create significant clinical and economic burden. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) at the skin–electrode interface offers a promising resource of energy in the form of mechanical energy from cardiac or somatic motion. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge up to 2023, based on nineteen main references, including those that cover nanogenerator design, engineering of epidermal sensors, characterization of biomechanical energy, biodegradable material systems, and regulatory issues. The key quantitative results are summarized: Skin-contact TENGs record a peak power density of 20–520mW/m²; Stretchable sponge electrodes achieve a signal-to-noise ratio of 42–56dB even after stretching more than 200%; Kirigami electrodes provide a stretchability of up to 300% without any degradation in signal. The paper also explores a series of biodegradable polymer candidates as triboelectric transient layers, such as PLGA, PLA and cellulose nanofibers, and reviews the ground coupled electrode configurations, which can improve the biomechanical energy scavenging by as much as 63%. The overall evidence presented suggests that the integration of epidermal TENG arrays with low-impedance electrode systems could be a viable and biocompatible approach for achieving long-term continuous operation of cardiac devices, provided that issues related to long-term mechanical fatigue, regulatory approval, and output rectification efficiency can be addressed.
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