Stretchable and self-adhesive triboelectric sensor for real-time musculoskeletal monitoring and personalized recovery

Abstract

Recent advances in medical diagnostics have highlighted the importance of wearable technologies for continuous and real-time physiological monitoring. In this study, we introduce a flexible, self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (MB-TENG) engineered from commercially available medical elastic bandages for biomechanical sensing during rehabilitation and gait analysis. Leveraging the porous and skin-friendly properties of the bandage combined with a PTFE film, the MB-TENG delivers robust electrical performance, achieving a peak open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 122~V, a short-circuit current (ISC) of 25~$\mu$A, and a transferred charge (QSC) of 110~nC, while maintaining long-term stability across 40{,}000 mechanical cycles. Its inherent self-adhesive property allows for multi-layer assembly without extra bonding agents, and mechanical stretching enhances output, enabling dual configurability. A stacked design further improves the power capacity, supporting applications in wearable medical electronics. The MB-TENG device seamlessly conforms to joint surfaces and foot regions, providing accurate detection of motion states and abnormal gait patterns. These features underscore the MB-TENG's potential as a low-cost, scalable platform for personalized rehabilitation, injury monitoring, and early musculoskeletal diagnosis.