# Emerging Triboelectric Nanogenerators for In‐Body Implantation

## TL;DR

This paper reviews triboelectric nanogenerators for implantable medical devices, focusing on their design and potential to replace batteries.

## Contribution

The paper introduces four types of implantable TENGs to address challenges in biomedical applications.

## Key findings

- Implantable TENGs can generate electricity for medical devices without batteries.
- Stretchable, bioadhesive, biodegradable, and stimuli-responsive TENGs address post-implantation challenges.
- Current research highlights new opportunities for TENGs in biomedical settings.

## Abstract

Emerging implantable medical devices (IMDs) collect critical health data for individualized treatment strategies, providing noninvasive, real‐time monitoring to efficiently manage diseases. However, their reliance on conventional batteries introduces surgical risks and operational limitations, necessitating the exploration of alternative energy solutions, such as triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). As these implantable TENGs develop, they are increasingly used to power medical devices and function as IMDs themselves. Despite improved design flexibility and compatibility with various functional materials, TENGs still face challenges in maintaining stable operation within the fluid environment in‐body. This review provides an in‐depth look at functional implantable TENGs in biomedical settings, highlighting the basic mechanism of TENGs and covering their electricity generation process, commonly used material combinations, and design methods. The review classifies implantable TENGs into four types: stretchable, bioadhesive, on‐demand biodegradable, and stimuli‐responsive, to address challenges after implantation. Additionally, this article discusses current developments and future possibilities, aiming to showcase new research avenues and opportunities by evaluating both existing applications and potential innovations.

This review explores functional implantable triboelectric nanogenerators in biomedical applications, discussing their mechanisms, electricity generation, and design approaches. To solve postimplantation challenges, four types of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are introduced: stretchable, bioadhesive, on‐demand biodegradable, and multiresponsive TENGs. Additionally, the review examines recent research advancements and strategic innovations, highlighting current developments and prospects to underscore emerging research opportunities and potential applications.