A Trigger-Guided Design Framework for Triboelectric Nanogenerators: From Ambient Energy to Smart Home Systems

The deep integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying energy supply challenges for large-scale smart-home sensor networks, representing a critical bottleneck for carbon-neutral autonomy. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), capable of both energy harvesting and self-powered sensing, provide a promising solution. To establish actionable engineering guidelines for the highly diverse forms of mechanical energy present in household environments, this review introduces a novel design framework. By redirecting the research focus from trial-and-error centered on materials toward structural design driven by applications, this work provides unique scientific insights. Guided by six physical triggering mechanisms (pressure, vibration, sliding, rotation, non-contact, and hybrid), this review systematically summarizes the recent advances in smart-home TENGs. Building upon this, a comprehensive design matrix is proposed to explicitly clarify and compare key dimensions of TENGs under different triggering mechanisms, including target functions, device design methods, performance parameters, physical limitations, and commercialization barriers. In addition, this matrix constructs a clear logical chain from ambient energy capture to precise functional realization. Finally, a three-stage strategy addresses key challenges for practical deployment. Exhibiting cross-domain generality for other mechanical energy harvesters, this framework establishes a unified roadmap for next-generation zero-carbon smart systems.