Design and Simulation of Single-Electrode Mode Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Based Pulse Sensor for Healthcare Applications Using COMSOL Multiphysics

The advancement in triboelectric nanogenerator technology leads to numerous advantages in various fields, especially in biomedical and healthcare applications. Theoretical modeling and simulation of sensors is the initial step for an optimized cost-effective real-time sensor fabrication which reduces the wastage of materials and rapid prototyping, giving an expected sensor performance. Herein, a theoretical model of single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator is presented which finds its application in healthcare monitoring as a wearable flexible pulse sensor to measure the wrist pulse for disease diagnosis. The device optimization in terms of structure, material and output performance is done based on the said application. A brief study of the operating principle of the sensor along with the factors affecting the output is discussed in this work. The design is conceptually investigated considering the electrostatic shield effect from the contact electrode. The output performance variation concerning the plain and micro-structured triboelectric surface is also determined in terms of open-circuit voltage of approximate to 16.95 and approximate to 21.63 V, respectively, and also a short-circuit charge of approximate to 181.81 and approximate to 196.57 pC, respectively. The superior output performance even for smaller wrist pulse displacement range can serve as a significant assistance for the rational plan of the device structure.