Revolutionizing wearable sustainable energy enabled by mechano-electric conversion fibers

Abstract

Mechano-electric conversion fibers (MECFs) represent a groundbreaking innovation in smart textiles, integrating the high-efficiency mechanical energy conversion of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with superior wearability and comfort inherent in textile materials. Despite notable advancements in MECFs, comprehensive reviews and in-depth discussions of their fundamental principles and unique advantages remain scarce. Herein, this review aims to bridge this gap by providing a systematic analysis and objective outlook of MECFs, with a particular emphasis on their transformative potential in revolutionizing energy harvesting and self-powered sensing in human-centered applications. Driven by diverse structural designs, versatile material selection configurations, and high conversion efficiency at low frequencies, MECFs have enabled a self-sufficient human surface energy supply-demand system that is autonomous, sustainable, and undisturbed. Their high sensitivity is underpinned by a multilinear dynamic progressive response mechanism, facilitating rapid response times and high sensitivity across a wide spectrum of mechanical stimuli. In addition, the prominent applications of MECFs in self-powered wearable sensing were also explored, including personalized healthcare monitoring, human–machine interaction, and smart security protection. Finally, we discuss in detail the key challenges and bottlenecks that still remain in MECF development, alongside promising solutions and future development directions. This work seeks to establish a comprehensive knowledge theoretical framework for MECFs and accelerate their transition from fundamental research to large-scale practical applications.