Triboelectric Medicine: Self-Sustained Energy Solutions for Healthcare Technologies
Sang-Woo Kim
Yonsei University
Abstract
Triboelectric energy harvesting technologies have emerged as a promising energy solution for medical implants, utilizing various mechanical energy sources to generate electricity in vivo. Owing to their simple structure, which is advantageous for miniaturization, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been extensively investigated.
In this talk, I will introduce self-powered medical implants driven by the triboelectric mechanism and provide an overview of recent research trends. First, I will discuss the diverse device structures and energy generation performances of TENGs depending on their mechanical energy sources, which span a wide range of frequencies. In general, devices powered by high-frequency energy sources demonstrate superior electrical outputs compared to those operating at low frequencies. However, current technologies still fall short of satisfying the energy consumption requirements necessary for the immediate application of commercial electronic medicines. To address this challenge, I will present material design strategies aimed at enhancing the output performance of TENGs.
Beyond serving as mere power sources, TENG-based battery-less electronic medicines hold significant potential for diverse clinical applications. This talk will also highlight our previous work on self-powered electronic medicines (termed triboelectric medicine) for use in wound healing, tissue engineering, neurostimulation, neuroregeneration, and antibacterial treatments.
Biography
Dr. Sang-Woo Kim is the YONSEI World-Class Fellow Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Yonsei University. He is a Fellow of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) and a Member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK). Currently, he is the Director of the Center for Human-oriented Triboelectric Energy Harvesting funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea. His recent research interests are focused on piezoelectric/triboelectric nanogenerators, implantable medical devices, self-powered wearable electronics, and 2D materials. Prof. Kim has a publication record, with over 400 research papers published, including articles in prestigious journals such as Science and Nature (with an H-index of 100). Currently, Dr. Kim holds the positions of Vice President at the Materials Research Society of Korea and Vice President of Korean Sensor Society
