Wearable self-sustaining triboelectric sensor for basketball posture detection and training feedback

The advancement of functional hydrogels and the growing use of intelligent wearable sensors in sports have attracted increasing research interest. Here, a high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator (alginate/PSS/CMC-Na-based triboelectric nanogenerator, APC-TENG) is developed by integrating a Zn2+-cross-linked alginate/PSS/CMC-Na hydrogel with PDMS/SiO2 composite films. The hydrogel provides ionic conductivity and mechanical resilience, while the composite films enhance charge trapping and environmental stability. Benefiting from this structure, the APC-TENG delivers an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 164 V, a short-circuit current (ISC) of 32 μA, a transferred charge (QSC) of 136 nC at 2 Hz, and a maximum power of 3.3 mW at 3 MΩ. The device maintains stable performance over 7500 cycles and under varying humidity conditions. Beyond stability, it is integrated into wearable and sports platforms for self-powered monitoring of human activities, including walking, running, and joint bending, as well as basketball-specific motions such as pressing, dribbling, and shooting. These results demonstrate the potential of APC-TENG as a reliable energy harvester and intelligent motion sensor for wearable electronics, sports training, and human–machine interaction.