Dual-mode operation of bead-based triboelectric nanogenerator and its application to wearable sensor for dementia patients

Abstract

Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) is a promising self-powered sensor due to low cost fabrication and wide range of material selection. TENG has four working modes according to its structure and working principle, and dual-mode TENG which combines two working modes harvests electricity with more various mechanical inputs. In this work, we demonstrate TENG using beads as friction materials and analyze its principle and electrical properties in dual-mode operation. Furthermore, based on its operation with two inputs (vibration and contact), application to a wearable sensor which detects wandering and falls of dementia patients is proposed.