Recently, the research team led by Mao Yupeng from the Physical Education Department of NEU, in collaboration with the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, published a review article titled “TENG-Boosted Smart Sports with Energy Autonomy and Digital Intelligence” in the international high-level journal Nano-Micro Letters (Chinese Academy of Sciences Zone 1 TOP, Impact Factor 31.6). This study is the first to systematically elucidate the cutting-edge developments of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology in the field of smart sports from the dual dimensions of energy autonomy and digital intelligence, providing a theoretical framework and technical pathway for the digital transformation of sports science. Wang Yunlu, a postgraduate student in physical education of NEU in the class of 2023, is the first author of the paper. Mao Yupeng, a distinguished researcher, is the corresponding author of the paper. NEU is the first institution of the paper. Academician Wang Zhonglin and Researcher Sun Qijun from the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are co-corresponding authors.
TENG technology enables self-powered sensing by capturing mechanical energy from human movement and the environment, allowing monitoring of athletes' physiological data and performance without the need for an external power source. Systematic studies have shown that compared to traditional sensing technologies, TENG offers significant advantages in handling high-intensity movements and complex environmental changes. Its continuous and stable energy supply, excellent environmental adaptability, and biocompatibility provide an innovative solution for sports monitoring.
At present, TENG technology has been successfully applied in multiple sports fields. In physiological monitoring, breathable and antibacterial electronic skin can be worn for a long time, continuously collecting key metrics such as respiration and pulse rate; in training optimization, AI algorithms can precisely analyze technical movement parameters; in sports officiating, high-elasticity boundary sensors enhance the accuracy of rulings; in sports rehabilitation, biomimetic sensors provide a scientific basis for injury prevention and rehabilitation training.
These innovative applications not only address the restrictions of traditional monitoring technologies, but also inject new momentum into the development of smart sports. As the technology continues to improve in the future, TENG is expected to play an even more important role in the field of sports science. Although significant progress in advancing smart sports has been made with smart sports equipment based on TENG, there are still some challenges.
Based on a systematic summary of existing achievements, the research team has identified the issues that need to be addressed in this field. TENG-based smart sports monitoring equipment still requires improvements in material innovation, manufacturing processes, skin compatibility and comfort, adaptability and stability, sensing capabilities, accuracy and reliability, integrability, and commercialization requirements to enhance its applicability in future research. These studies will provide important guidance for the further development of smart sports technology and offer new insights for interdisciplinary research in related fields.
This study systematically reviews the latest research progress of TENG technology in the field of smart sports, demonstrating the innovative potential of interdisciplinary integration. By integrating theoretical methods from fields such as sports biomechanics, nanomaterials science, and information engineering, the research team has established a systematic research framework encompassing “fundamental theory—device development—system integration.” Particularly in terms of talent cultivation, the research team has formed a supervisor team structure led by academicians and involving cross-university collaboration, providing a practical training platform for graduate students in sports disciplines. This innovative practice not only expands the research boundaries of traditional sports disciplines, but also offers valuable insights for advancing the development of sports engineering as an emerging interdisciplinary field.
