Triboelectric Patch Based on Maxwell Displacement Current for Human Energy Harvesting and Eye Movement Monitoring

The forthcoming wearable health care devices garner considerable attention because of their potential for monitoring, treatment, and protection applications. Herein, a self-powered triboelectric patch was developed using polytetrafluoroethylene rubbed with nylon fabric. The triboelectric patch can maintain a stable electrostatic field, due to the excess electrification on the surface of the triboelectric layer. The designed triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) output watt density can reach about 485 mW/m² with added resistance of 11 kΩ. Additionally, the performance of the triboelectric patch allowed eye movement monitoring. The maximum voltage could reach 80 V at the vertical distance of 20 mm between the frictional layer and collector. The triboelectric patch not only can power a digital watch for potential wearable applications but also can be integrated to monitor eye movements during sleep. This work proposed a mechanism for human movement energy harvesting, which may be used for self-powered smart wearable health equipment and Maxwell displacement current wireless sensors.