Harnessing body movements to power electronic devices

In a world increasingly reliant on technology, finding efficient and sustainable power sources is more critical than ever before. Traditional batteries often fall short as they require frequent charging and contribute to environmental pollution. But what if we could harness the energy from our everyday movements to generate electricity? Imagine a future where simply walking, stretching, or even typing could power our devices, revolutionizing the way we think about energy.

Research scientist Shoaib Anwer and fellow Khalifa University academics Muhammad Umair Khan, Mohammad Baker and Lianxi Zheng have engineered a unique self-powered device called a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The device is capable of converting mechanical energy from body movements into electrical power, radically changing the way we power small electronics, monitor human health and contribute to a greener environment.

“Imagine a tiny, flexible device that you can wear comfortably on your body, like a wristband or a patch. This device contains layers of special materials that, when rubbed or pressed against each other during your everyday movements, generate electricity. It’s like magic, but it’s actually science at work,” Shoaib explains.

“The next time you take a step or move your arm, remember, you could be powering the future of technology!” 

Shoaib Anwer

Now, the team has found a way to make these devices more efficient and powerful by incorporating advanced 2D nanomaterials—ultra-thin sheets with remarkable electrical and mechanical properties—into the design of the TENG.

One of these nanomaterials, called Ti₃C₂T_x-MXene, acts like a supercharger for the device. By sandwiching it between layers of other materials, the scientists have boosted the TENG’s ability to generate electricity, allowing each movement made by the wearer to produce yet more power.

Shoaib and his collaborators further refined the design with electrode engineering, again using 2D nanomaterials. These tweaks have resulted in a device that can generate electricity with astonishing efficiency.

“The new device can be used as a pressure sensor to monitor different movements of the human body. This means that it could help doctors and scientists better understand how our bodies work and detect any abnormalities or changes in our health,” Lianxi explains.

The TENG can also power all sorts of electronic devices from LED lights to calculators, according to Shoaib. “It’s like having a portable charger strapped to your body, ready to power up your gadgets whenever you need it. And here’s the really exciting part: because the TENG harnesses the natural movements of our bodies, it’s a sustainable and environmentally friendly power source. Instead of relying on batteries that need to be constantly replaced and discarded, we can generate electricity simply by going about our daily lives,” he says.

With further research and development, it holds the potential to revolutionize not only the way we use energy but also our impact on the environment, Shoaib notes. “So, the next time you take a step or move your arm, remember, you could be powering the future of technology!”

Reference

Anwer, S.; Khan, M.U.; Mohammad, B.; Rezeq, M.; Cantwell, W.; Gan, D.; and Zheng, L. Engineering of electrodes with 2D Ti3C2Tx-MXene sheets and chloride salt for robust and flexible high electrical power triboelectric nanogenerator. Chem. Eng. Journal, 470, 2023 | Article