Wireless Alerts and Data Monitoring from BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS Composite Film-Based TENG Integrated Inhaler for Smart Healthcare Application.

In recent years, the implementation of energy-harvesting technology in medical equipment has attracted significant interest owing to its potential for self-powered and smart healthcare systems. Herein, the integration of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is proposed into an inhaler for energy-harvesting and smart inhalation monitoring. For this initially, barium sodium niobium oxide (Ba2NaNb5O15) microparticles (BNNO MPs) are synthesized via a facile solid-state synthesis process. The BNNO MPs with ferroelectricity and high dielectric constant are incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to make BNNO/PDMS composite films (CFs) for TENG fabrication. The fabricated TENG is operated in a contact-separation mode, and its electrical output performance is compared to establish the optimal BNNO MPs concentration. Furthermore, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), a conductive filler material, are used to enhance the electrical conductivity of the CFs, thereby improving the electrical output performance of the TENG. The robustness/durability of the proposed BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS CF-based TENG are investigated. The proposed TENG device is demonstrated to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motions via regular human activities and power portable electronics. The TENG is integrated into the inhaler casing to count the number of sprays remaining in the canister, send the notification to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and harvest energy.

Mechanical and Acoustic-Driven BiFeO3 Composite Films-Based Hybrid Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications.

Nanogenerators for acoustic energy harvesting are still in the early stage of development, and many challenges such as the optimization of device structure and the design of efficient and sensitive materials need to be addressed. To solve the above-mentioned problems, herein, advancement in synthesized multiferroic material for hybridizing the nanogenerator and efficient harvesting of various energies such as acoustic, mechanical, and vibrational energies is reported. Initially, bismuth ferrate (BiFeO3 , BFO)-based composite films are prepared with high ferroelectric and dielectric coefficients. The hybrid nanogenerator (HNG) based on a 3D-printed structure has the highest electrical output which is further improved depending on the BFO loading concentration in the composite film. The 0.5 wt% BFO-loaded PVDF-based HNG offers the enhanced open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and charge density values of ≈30 V, ≈1 µA, and ≈10 µC/m2 , respectively. The optimized HNG is employed to harvest mechanical energy from everyday human life. Furthermore, the HNG layers are used in the fabrication of a multi-energy harvester/sensor (MEH/S) which can harvest/sense various vibrational and acoustic energies under different acoustic frequencies and amplitudes, respectively. The harvested energy from the MEH/S is tested to power portable electronics.

Multistage SrBaTiO3 /PDMS Composite Film-Based Hybrid Nanogenerator for Efficient Floor Energy Harvesting Applications.

Triboelectric nanogenerators are an emerging energy-scavenging technology that can harvest kinetic energy from various mechanical moments into electricity. The energy generated while humans walk is the most commonly available biomechanical energy. Herein, a multistage consecutively-connected hybrid nanogenerator (HNG) is fabricated and combined with a flooring system (MCHCFS) to efficiently harvest mechanical energy while humans walk. Initially, the electrical output performance of the HNG is optimized by fabricating a prototype device using various strontium-doped barium titanate (Ba1- x Srx TiO3 , BST) microparticles loaded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films. The BST/PDMS composite film acts as a negative triboelectric layer that operates against aluminum. Single HNG operated in contact-separation mode could generate an electrical output of ≈280 V, ≈8.5 µA, and ≈90 µC m-2 . The stability and robustness of the fabricated HNG are confirmed and eight similar HNGs are assembled in a 3D-printed MCHCFS. The MCHCFS is specifically designed to distribute applied force on the single HNG to four nearby HNGs. The MCHCFS can be implemented in real-life floors with an enlarged surface area to harvest energy generated while humans walk into direct current electrical output. The MCHCFS is demonstrated as a touch sensor that can be utilized in sustainable path lighting to save enormous electricity waste.

Single-Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Ionic Conductive Hydrogel for Mechanical Energy Harvester and Smart Touch Sensor Applications.

Recent advancements in wearable electronic technology demand advanced power sources to be flexible, deformable, durable, and sustainable. An ionic-solution-modified conductive hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has advantages in wearable devices. However, fabricating a conductive hydrogel with better mechanical and electrical properties is still a challenge. Herein, a simple approach is developed to insert ion-rich pores inside the hydrogel, followed by ionic solution soaking. The suggested ionic conductive hydrogel is obtained by cross-linking the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC), followed by soaking in the ionic solution. Furthermore, a flexible and shape-adaptable single-electrode TENG (S-TENG) is fabricated by combinations of ionic-solution-modified dual-cross-linked CMC/PVA hydrogel and silicone rubber. Additionally, the effects of the CMC concentration, type of ionic solution, and concentration of optimized ionic solutions on the hydrogel properties and S-TENG output performance are studied systematically. The well-dispersed CMC- and PVA-based hydrogel provides ion-rich pores with high ion migration, leading to enhanced conductivity. The fabricated S-TENG delivers maximum output performance in terms of voltage, current, and charge density of ∼584 V, 25 µA, and 120 µC/m2, respectively. The rectified S-TENG-generated energy is used to charge capacitors and to power a portable electronic display. In addition to energy harvesting, the S-TENG is successfully demonstrated as a touch sensor that can automatically control the light and the speaker based on human motions. This investigation provides a deep insight into the influence of the hydrogel on the device performance and gives a guidance for designing and fabrication of highly flexible and stretchable TENGs.

Eco-friendly pectin polymer film-based triboelectric nanogenerator for energy scavenging.

Inspired by the desire to solve the energy-related issues in remote sensing applications, internet of things, wireless autonomous devices, and self-powered portable electronic devices, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been highly promoted. However, for use in the specified applications, especially in wearable and biomedical devices, environmental-friendly materials are required. Herein, an eco-friendly pectin polymer is used as a positive triboelectric material to fabricate a TENG with excellent output performance. Working in conjunction with a polyimide, the polyimide and microarchitected pectin (MA@pectin) polymer film-based TENG (PP-TENG) generated open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current (ISC), and charge density (QSC) of ∼300 V, 14 µA, and 70 µC cm-2, respectively, exhibiting remarkable enhancement compared to the TENG based on polyimide/pristine pectin polymer (VOC, ISC, and QSC of 170 V, 7.6 µA, and 47 µC cm-2, respectively) under similar operating conditions. The output performance of the PP-TENG is particularly reliant on the pectin concentration, indicating an optimum concentration of 9 wt%. The improved performance of the PP-TENG was systematically analyzed and explained in terms of pectin concentration, dielectric constant, and surface roughness. Furthermore, the PP-TENG can power portable electronic devices and light-emitting diodes to prove the capability of the TENG in practical applications. The fabricated PP-TENG is anticipated to be a sustainable energy harvester via a low-cost and facile approach.

Inflammation-sensing catalase-mimicking nanozymes alleviate acute kidney injury via reversing local oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation, a critical contributor to tissue damage, is well-known to be associated with various disease. The kidney is susceptible to hypoxia and vulnerable to ROS. Thus, the vicious cycle between oxidative stress and renal hypoxia critically contributes to the progression of chronic kidney disease and finally, end-stage renal disease. Thus, delivering therapeutic agents to the ROS-rich inflammation site and releasing the therapeutic agents is a feasible solution. RESULTS: We developed a longer-circulating, inflammation-sensing, ROS-scavenging versatile nanoplatform by stably loading catalase-mimicking 1-dodecanethiol stabilized Mn3O4 (dMn3O4) nanoparticles inside ROS-sensitive nanomicelles (PTC), resulting in an ROS-sensitive nanozyme (PTC-M). Hydrophobic dMn3O4 nanoparticles were loaded inside PTC micelles to prevent premature release during circulation and act as a therapeutic agent by ROS-responsive release of loaded dMn3O4 once it reached the inflammation site. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study demonstrated the successful attenuation of inflammation and apoptosis in the IRI mice kidneys, suggesting that PTC-M nanozyme could possess promising potential in AKI therapy. This study paves the way for high-performance ROS depletion in treating various inflammation-related diseases.

High-Efficiency Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Co-Hexafluoropropylene) Loaded 3D Marigold Flower-Like Bismuth Tungstate Triboelectric Films for Mechanical Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are one of the most trending energy harvesting devices because of their efficient and simple mechanism in harvesting mechanical energy from the environment into electricity. Herein, ferroelectric and dielectric bismuth tungstate (Bi2 WO6 (BWO)) with a marigold flower-like structure is prepared via a hydrothermal method, which is embedded in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), forming a PVDF-HFP/BWO composite polymer film (CPF) to fabricate TENGs. Generally, the ferroelectric materials exhibit a large piezoelectric coefficient, high electrostatic dipole moment, and high dielectric constant. The prepared PVDF-HFP/BWO CPF reveals a high polar crystalline ß-phase which leads to enhanced piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of the CPF, thus resulting in the increased electrical performance of the fabricated TENG. The electrical output performance of the proposed TENG is systematically investigated by varying the amount of BWO material embedded in the PVDF-HFP polymer. The fabricated PVDF-HFP/2.5 wt% BWO CPF-based TENG device exhibits the highest electrical output performance. Additionally, the robust test of the TENG device is conducted to investigate the electrical performance for long-term durability and mechanical stability. Finally, the proposed TENG is operated as a self-powered sensor, harvesting mechanical energy from daily life human activities, and powering various low-power portable electronics.

LiTaO3-Based Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for Mechanical Energy Harvesting.

Mechanical energy is one of the freely available green energy sources that could be harvested to meet the small-scale energy demand. Piezoelectric nanogenerators can be used to harvest the biomechanical energy that is available in everyday human life and power various portable electronics. Herein, a ferroelectric material, i.e., lithium tantalate (LiTaO3), was synthesized and used to fabricate a flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (FPNG). Generally, ferroelectric materials display a strong electrostatic dipole moment and high piezoelectric coefficient, thus resulting in enhanced electrical performance. First, LiTaO3 nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded into poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) to form a piezoelectric film and then, the piezoelectric composite film was sandwiched between two aluminum electrodes to fabricate an FPNG. The effect of the electrical performance of FPNG as a function of the concentration of LiTaO3 loaded into PVDF was systematically investigated and optimized. The 2.5 wt % FPNG exhibited open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and power density values of ∼18 V, ∼1.2 µA, and ∼25 mW/m2, respectively. Furthermore, the FPNG revealed good electrical stability and mechanical durability. Finally, the FPNG was employed as a weight sensor to harvest various biomechanical energies and operate low-power- electronics.