Breakthrough in Wearable Technology: Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerators Using Collagen Fibers

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Shaanxi University of Science and Technology have made a significant discovery in wearable technology by developing multifunctional triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) using collagen fibers. The innovative device, known as smart leather collagen fiber (S-LCF), has demonstrated exceptional electromagnetic shielding properties, photothermal performance, and antibacterial efficacy. Additionally, S-LCF exhibits outstanding resistance to humid-thermal conditions, high mechanical strength, and excellent water vapor permeability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The multifunctional wearable smart leather collagen fiber (S-LCF) is cross-linked with Polyionic liquids, MOF-LDH composite materials (PILs/MOF-LDH-Zr) and is nanoengineered through PPy conducting network.
  • S-LCF achieves a power density of 795 mW m-2 and a sensitivity of 0.25 V s^-1 kPa^-1 as a positive triboelectric layer of multifunctional smart collagen fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerators (SL-TENGs).
  • S-LCF demonstrates exceptional electromagnetic shielding properties (SET = 58 dB), photothermal performance ( Standard solar density, 600 s, temperature rise to 81 degrees C), and antibacterial efficacy (over 99% inhibition rate).
  • S-LCF holds immense potential for human-machine interfaces and artificial intelligence applications, offering a multifunctional platform for the development of high-performance, on-demand wearable flexible electronic devices.
  • The research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and Shaanxi Province Natural Science Foundation for Basic Research Youth Project.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal.

Statistics:

  • 795 mW m-2: maximum power density achieved by S-LCF
  • 0.25 V s^-1 kPa^-1: sensitivity of S-LCF as a positive triboelectric layer
  • 58 dB: electromagnetic shielding efficiency of S-LCF
  • 600 s: duration of photothermal performance testing
  • 81°C: maximum temperature rise achieved by S-LCF under standard solar density
  • 99%: inhibition rate of S-LCF against bacterial growth

Sources:

  • Multifunctional Integrated Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based On Collagen Fibers for Smart Wearable Devices. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025;522.
  • NewsRx. New Extracellular Matrix Proteins Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (Multifunctional Integrated Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based On Collagen Fibers for Smart Wearable ...). Electronics Newsweekly. October 21, 2025; p 304.