Triboelectric energy harvesting is a relatively new technology showing promise for biomedical applications. This study investigates a triboelectric energy transducer for potential applications in total knee replacement both as an energy harvester and a sensor. The sensor can be used to monitor loads at the knee joint. The proposed transducer generates an electrical signal that is directly related to the periodic mechanical load from walking. The proportionality between the generated electrical signal and the load transferred to the knee enables triboelectric transducers to be used as self-powered active load sensors. We analyzed the performance of a triboelectric transducer when subjected to simulated gait loading on a joint motion simulator. Two different designs were evaluated: one made of Titanium on Aluminum (Ti-PDMS-Al) and the other made of Titanium on Titanium (Ti-PDMS-Ti). The Ti-PDMS-Ti design generates more power than Ti-PDMS-Al and was used to optimize the structural parameters. Our analysis found these optimal parameters for the Ti-PDMS-Ti design: external resistance of 304 MΩ, a gap of 550 µm, and a thickness of the triboelectric layer of 50 µm. Those parameters were optimized by varying resistance, gap, and the thickness while measuring the power outputs. Using the optimized parameters, the transducer was tested under different axial loads to check the viability of the harvester to act as a self-powered load sensor to estimate the knee loads. The forces transmitted across the knee joint during activities of daily living can be directly measured and used for self-powering, which can lead to improving the total knee implant functions.

中文翻译：

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摩擦电换能器在全膝关节置换术中的参数研究

摩擦电能收集是一项相对较新的技术，显示出在生物医学应用方面的前景。这项研究调查了摩擦电能传感器在全膝关节置换术中作为能量收集器和传感器的潜在应用。该传感器可用于监测膝关节的负荷。所提出的换能器产生一个电信号，该信号与步行产生的周期性机械负荷直接相关。产生的电信号与传递到膝盖的负载之间的比例使摩擦电传感器能够用作自供电的有源负载传感器。我们分析了摩擦电换能器在关节运动模拟器上模拟步态载荷时的性能。评估了两种不同的设计：一种由铝基钛 (Ti-PDMS-Al) 制成，另一种由钛基钛 (Ti-PDMS-Ti) 制成。Ti-PDMS-Ti 设计比 Ti-PDMS-Al 产生更多的功率，并用于优化结构参数。我们的分析发现了 Ti-PDMS-Ti 设计的这些最佳参数：304 MΩ 的外部电阻、550 µm 的间隙和 50 µm 的摩擦电层厚度。在测量功率输出的同时，通过改变电阻、间隙和厚度来优化这些参数。使用优化的参数，传感器在不同的轴向负载下进行测试，以检查收割机作为自供电负载传感器来估计膝关节负载的可行性。在日常生活活动中通过膝关节传递的力可以直接测量并用于自供电，