In professional sports, technology that monitors players and equipment using advanced sensing technology has been on the rise. For many applications, flexible sensors are preferred or even necessary. Flexible, light-weight, and low-cost power sources are also advantageous, especially for wearable sensors. In fast, technically challenging sports such as basketball, sensors that monitor movement could help to evaluate and improve players’ technique and the effectiveness of their training.
Shuai Ma, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, and colleagues have developed a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) made using 3D-printed, thermoplastic urethane/polylactic acid (TPU/PLA) films and carbon fibers. A triboelectric nanogenerator is an energy-harvesting device that converts mechanical energy into electricity. The resulting sensor can be used to monitor basketball players’ movements for the evaluation of training effectiveness. The team used a mixture of 25 % TPU and 75 % PLA, which was turned into filament suitable for 3D printing.
The complete TENG device consists of a TPU/PLA polymer film “sandwiched” between two composite TPU/PLA/carbon fiber film layers. The TPU/PLA/carbon fiber films provide both conductive and triboelectric properties.
The team attached the developed sensor to the knee of test subjects playing basketball. Based on the output voltage patterns, it can be used to distinguish different types of motion such as skipping, squatting, walking, or running and collect data relating to player performance. The TENG’s output was stable over many experimental cycles, indicating its potential for practical applications.
- A Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on TPU/PLA for Basketball Motion Monitoring,
Jun Zhang, Shuai Ma,
ChemistryOpen 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1002/open.202400241
