Wearable and Implantable Mechanical Energy Harvesters for Self-Powered Biomedical Systems.
In this issue of ACS Nano, Tang et al. investigate the ability of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to self-power a low-level laser cure system for osteogenesis by studying the efficiency of a bone remodeling laser treatment that is powered by a skin-patch-like TENG instead of a battery. We outline this field by highlighting the motivations for self-powered biomedical systems and by discussing recent progress in nanogenerators. We note the overlap between biomedical devices and TENGs and their dawning synergy, and we highlight key prospects for future developments. Biomedical systems should be more autonomous. This advance could improve their body integration and fields of action, leading to new medical diagnostics and treatments. However, future self-powered biomedical systems will need to be more flexible, biocompatible, and biodegradable. These advances hold the promise of enabling new smart autonomous biomedical systems and contributing significantly to the Internet of Things.
School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering and ‡SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), Center for Human Interface Nanotechnology (HINT), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) , Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Ronan
R
Hinchet
School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering and ‡SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), Center for Human Interface Nanotechnology (HINT), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) , Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Woo
SW
Kim
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*