Revolutionizing self-powered robotic systems with triboelectric nanogenerators

Sugato Hajra, Swati Panda, Hamideh Khanberh, Venkateswaran Vivekananthan, Elham Chamanehpour, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Hoe Joon Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), offering self-powered actuation, grasping, and sensing capabilities without the need for an external power source, have the potential to revolutionize the field of self-powered robotic systems. TENGs can directly convert mechanical energy into electrical energy that can be used to power small electronics. This review explores the huge potential of TENGs' mechanisms and modes for various robotics actuation and sensing applications. Firstly, the improvements in efficiency and reliability of TENG-based actuation systems by self-powered actuation systems are discussed. Following that, TENG-based grippers having controlled gripping power and a distinctive ability to self-calibrate for precise and sharp object handling are enlightened. Additionally, the design and development of TENG-based pressure sensors incorporated into robotic grippers are further discussed. Self-powered multimode-sensing robotic devices, which can sense many stimuli such as temperature, applied force and its direction, and humidity, are briefly discussed. Integrating self-powered robotic systems with human-machine-interaction (HMI) technologies enables more sophisticated and intelligent robotic contact with its external environment, is also highlighted. Finally, we addressed the challenges and future improvements in this emerging field. In conclusion, TENGs can open up a wide range of opportunities for self-powered actuation, gripping, and sensing with exceptional efficiency and precision while being compatible with both soft and rigid robotic systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108729
JournalNano Energy
Volume115
Early online date20 Jul 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Oct 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study is supported by DGIST R&D Program ( 22-RT-01 , 22-SENS-01 ). VV thanks KLEF for the support through Internal Funding Project KLEF/IFP/2022-2023/ECE/007 , and the Royal Society of Chemistry for the Researcher Grant R22-7381975972 . Y.K.M. acknowledges the funding by Interreg Deutschland-Denmark with money from the European Regional Development Fund , Project Number 096-1.1-18 (Access and Acceleration), from the ESS lighthouse on hard materials in 3D, the SOLID ( Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education , Grant Number 8144-00002B ), from the BHJ Fonden and the Fabrikant Mads Clausen Fonden .

Funding

This study is supported by DGIST R&D Program ( 22-RT-01 , 22-SENS-01 ). VV thanks KLEF for the support through Internal Funding Project KLEF/IFP/2022-2023/ECE/007 , and the Royal Society of Chemistry for the Researcher Grant R22-7381975972 . Y.K.M. acknowledges the funding by Interreg Deutschland-Denmark with money from the European Regional Development Fund , Project Number 096-1.1-18 (Access and Acceleration), from the ESS lighthouse on hard materials in 3D, the SOLID ( Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education , Grant Number 8144-00002B ), from the BHJ Fonden and the Fabrikant Mads Clausen Fonden .

Keywords

  • Actuation
  • Gripper
  • Pressure
  • Robotics
  • TENG

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Materials Science
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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