Study on the Friction Area Distribution of Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting in Clothing Engineering

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which convert human body motion into electrical energy, have emerged as an ideal solution for integrating self-powered sensors into smart garments. However, current research on TENG-based energy harvesting remains focused on localized body areas, material structures, and accessories such as shoes, protective gear, or implantable devices, without a systematic study of the energy harvesting potential across the whole body. This study adopts a clothing engineering approach to construct a dynamic full-body friction model and explores methods to improve energy harvesting efficiency without altering the material. The visualized representation of high-efficiency friction zones and the friction distribution model overcome the limitations of traditional static pressure tests, providing a new strategy for the integrated system design of TENGs, flexible energy storage devices, and functional clothing. This research not only advances textile-based TENG technologies but also offers an interdisciplinary methodology and a new paradigm for smart fashion design.