Microchannel-confined droplet-based electricity generator for biomechanical energy conversion and sensing

IF 5.4 2区 工程技术 Q1 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS
Lab on a Chip Pub Date : 2025-08-26 DOI:10.1039/D5LC00662G
Jianwu Wang, Yonghui Zhang, Xiaokai Li, Zhengyu Li, Yuheng Li, Jiahao Zhang, Xin Liu, Jing Sun and Huanxi Zheng
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are positioned as a critical sustainable power solution for harvesting low-frequency mechanical energy or sensing. Although solid–solid contact-based TENGs can provide sustainable power to diminish external battery reliance and enhance portability and operational longevity, suboptimal energy output at low-frequency excitation, irreversible material damage under long-term operation and inadequate energy supply remain a challenge. Solid–liquid contact-based TENGs present an alternative approach, but rigid and bulky configurations hinder their integration toward wearable devices and the development of real applications. To address these challenges, we propose a flexible microchannel-confined droplet-based electricity generator (MC-DEG). By enclosing droplet chains in a flexible microfluidic channel and employing a dual-drain electrode structure (inspired by transistor design), the device achieves dual-peak electrical output that efficiently releases electrostatic induction charge accumulation during liquid reciprocation. This design enhances charge collection efficiency by >75% compared to single-electrode systems. The MC-DEG's output is tunable via structural parameters (e.g., source electrode dimensions) and external excitation. Its miniaturized closed system enables wearable integration, eliminating external droplet dependency while simultaneously enabling biomechanical energy conversion (e.g., human motion) and monitoring physiological signals, which provides a potential strategy for the development of emerging wearable application devices.

Abstract Image

Abstract Image

用于生物机械能转换和传感的微通道受限液滴发电机
摩擦电纳米发电机(TENGs)被定位为收集低频机械能或传感的关键可持续动力解决方案。尽管基于固体-固体接触的teng可以提供可持续的电力,以减少对外部电池的依赖,提高便携性和使用寿命,但低频激励下的能量输出不理想、长期运行下不可逆的材料损坏和能量供应不足仍然是一个挑战。基于固液接触的teng提供了另一种方法,但刚性和笨重的结构阻碍了它们与可穿戴设备的集成和实际应用的发展。为了解决这些挑战,我们提出了一种柔性微通道限制液滴发电机(MC-DEG)。通过将液滴链封闭在柔性微流体通道中,并采用双漏极结构(灵感来自晶体管设计),该装置实现了双峰电输出,在液体往复过程中有效释放静电感应电荷积累。与单电极系统相比,该设计提高了75%的电荷收集效率。MC-DEG的输出可通过结构参数(例如,源电极尺寸)和外部激励进行调节。其小型化的封闭系统实现了可穿戴集成,消除了对外部液滴的依赖,同时实现了生物力学能量转换(如人体运动)和生理信号监测,为新兴可穿戴应用设备的发展提供了潜在的策略。
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来源期刊
Lab on a Chip
Lab on a Chip 工程技术-化学综合
CiteScore
11.10
自引率
8.20%
发文量
434
审稿时长
2.6 months
期刊介绍: Lab on a Chip is the premiere journal that publishes cutting-edge research in the field of miniaturization. By their very nature, microfluidic/nanofluidic/miniaturized systems are at the intersection of disciplines, spanning fundamental research to high-end application, which is reflected by the broad readership of the journal. Lab on a Chip publishes two types of papers on original research: full-length research papers and communications. Papers should demonstrate innovations, which can come from technical advancements or applications addressing pressing needs in globally important areas. The journal also publishes Comments, Reviews, and Perspectives.
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