Advancements in triboelectric nanogenerator applications for health monitoring

The advancement of intelligent monitoring technologies has created innovative pathways in the health sector. Leveraging sensors within smart devices, data can be seamlessly harvested by network systems. Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs), acting as self-powered sensors, show promise for green, sustainable sensing and health-focused human–machine interactions. This Review Article delves into the four operational mechanisms of TENGs, providing a comprehensive review of their monitoring capabilities across varied environments. Specific applications include tracking human motion parameters, such as angles, frequencies, and trajectories, utilizing diverse materials to measure vital signs, such as heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration under changing conditions, in rehabilitation settings, employing both composite and standalone TENGs for targeted monitoring. This study also addresses challenges faced by TENGs, focusing on material flexibility, sustainability, washability, elasticity, and biocompatibility. The findings underscore the transformative potential of TENGs in health monitoring, offering valuable insights for fields such as smart sports, rehabilitation, and healthcare sensing.