Recent trends and future perspectives of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and applications

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as a groundbreaking technology for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing applications. Recent advancements in materials and integration with modern technologies have significantly expanded their potential. This review highlights the latest trends and future perspectives of TENGs, focusing on the role of advanced materials such as gels, graphene, polymers, and silicon in enhancing their performance. Furthermore, the convergence of TENGs with artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning is explored, enabling smart sensing and adaptive energy solutions. The integration of TENGs with robotics presents promising opportunities for self-powered systems in automation and human-machine interactions. Future research directions include optimizing material properties, improving energy conversion efficiency, and developing multifunctional, intelligent TENG-based systems. The fusion of TENGs with emerging digital technologies will drive the next generation of sustainable energy solutions, fostering advancements in self-powered devices and smart applications. This review distinguishes itself by integrating recent advances in the convergence of TENGs with artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), robotics, and biomedical systems, offering a forward-looking roadmap for intelligent, self-powered technologies beyond existing general reviews.