Innovative Self‐Powered Sensing: Potential of Fabrigami and Electrospun Nanofiber‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Joint Biomechanics Monitoring

This work presents a high-performance, self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) embedded into an origami-inspired fabric ("fabrigami") structure for real-time joint biomechanics monitoring. The device consists of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as the electronegative layer and silver-doped cellulose acetate (Ag-CA) as the electropositive layer, with enhanced surface charge density and mechanical durability. The fabrigami architecture amplifies contactseparation dynamics, enabling efficient detection of movements during joint motion while preserving conformability and air permeability. The optimized TENG based on 1.5% Ag in CA against PVDF exhibits remarkable electrical output characteristics, including an open-circuit voltage of 155.9 V, short-circuit current density of 8.134 mA m<sup>-2</sup>, and transferred charge density of 65.62 µC m-, with an instantaneous peak power density of 0.029 W m<sup>-2</sup> achieved through an 11 MΩ external load resistance. The power conversion efficiency is 4.6-92.8% for 100-5 µm elastic compression of electrospun samples under 10 N, 2 Hz actuation. Sensor stability is observed over 15 000 cycles. The fabrigami knee sleeve includes a Bluetooth-enabled microcontroller transmitting real-time motion data wirelessly to measure joint angles and distinguish movement activities. This work demonstrates a novel strategy combining material innovation (Ag-CA nanofibers) with structural configurability to create a breathable and power-autonomous smart textile.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small
Published
2025-09-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202506363
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.70

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article

Innovative Self‐Powered Sensing: Potential of Fabrigami and Electrospun Nanofiber‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Joint Biomechanics Monitoring

Luz Alejandra Magre, Fang Zhou, Robert O’Connor, K. R. Sanjaya D. Gunawardhana et al.
4 citations
Small
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
2.70
article

Innovative Self‐Powered Sensing: Potential of Fabrigami and Electrospun Nanofiber‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Joint Biomechanics Monitoring

Luz Alejandra Magre, Fang Zhou, Robert O’Connor, K. R. Sanjaya D. Gunawardhana, Garrett B. McGuinness, Sonal Santosh Baberwal, Shirley Coyle, Brian J. Rodriguez, Tomás Ward, Waseem Ahmad Wani, Ciara Smullen
article en
4 citations

Abstract

This work presents a high-performance, self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) embedded into an origami-inspired fabric ("fabrigami") structure for real-time joint biomechanics monitoring. The device consists of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as the electronegative layer and silver-doped cellulose acetate (Ag-CA) as the electropositive layer, with enhanced surface charge density and mechanical durability. The fabrigami architecture amplifies contactseparation dynamics, enabling efficient detection of movements during joint motion while preserving conformability and air permeability. The optimized TENG based on 1.5% Ag in CA against PVDF exhibits remarkable electrical output characteristics, including an open-circuit voltage of 155.9 V, short-circuit current density of 8.134 mA m<sup>-2</sup>, and transferred charge density of 65.62 µC m-, with an instantaneous peak power density of 0.029 W m<sup>-2</sup> achieved through an 11 MΩ external load resistance. The power conversion efficiency is 4.6-92.8% for 100-5 µm elastic compression of electrospun samples under 10 N, 2 Hz actuation. Sensor stability is observed over 15 000 cycles. The fabrigami knee sleeve includes a Bluetooth-enabled microcontroller transmitting real-time motion data wirelessly to measure joint angles and distinguish movement activities. This work demonstrates a novel strategy combining material innovation (Ag-CA nanofibers) with structural configurability to create a breathable and power-autonomous smart textile.

SmallVol. 21(45)
University College Dublin (IE), Dublin City University (IE)
European Commission, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, European Regional Development Fund
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
2.70
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