Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are devices that efficiently transform mechanical energy into electrical energy by utilizing the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction. Embroidery triboelectric nanogenerators (ETENGs) offer a distinct prospect to incorporate energy harvesting capabilities into textile-based products. This research work introduces an embroidered triboelectric nanogenerator that is made using polyester and nylon 66 yarn. The ETENG is developed by using different embroidery parameters and its characteristics are obtained using a specialized tapping and friction device. Nine ETENGs were made, each with different stitch lengths and line spacings for the polyester yarn. Friction and tapping tests were performed to assess the electrical outputs, which included measurements of short circuit current, open circuit voltage, and capacitor charging. One sample wearable embroidered energy harvester collected 307.5 μJ (24.8 V) of energy under a 1.5 Hz sliding motion over 300 s and 72 μJ (12 V) of energy through human walking over 120 s. Another ETENG sample generated 4.5 μJ (3 V) into a 1 μF capacitor using a tapping device with a 2 Hz frequency and a 50 mm separation distance over a duration of 520 s. Measurement of the current was also performed at different pressures to check the effect of pressure and validate the different options of the triboelectric/electrostatic characterization device. In summary, this research explains the influence of embroidery parameters on the performance of ETENG (Embroidery Triboelectric Nanogenerator) and provides valuable information for energy harvesting applications.

This research aims to validate an electrostatics characterization device to better understand the process of static charge generation in textile materials and to see how different factors affect it. This electrostatic device offers a variety of settings for controlling sample electrostatic activation and has a sample size range of up to one square meter. It can move in both horizontal and vertical directions in a controlled manner, providing a variety of possibilities for testing the effect of various movement features on electrostatic charge formation. Not only the textile polymer but also the motion characterizations influence the generation of electrostatic charges in textiles. The influence of frequency, pressure, dwell time between moves, test duration, effect of different sample sizes, and amplitude of movement on electrostatic charge generation was studied in greater detail. Two different parameters of the electrostatic waveform (peak voltage and peak-to-peak voltage) were investigated. The generation of electrostatic charges is proportional to the peak voltage and peak-to-peak voltage of the electrostatic waveform. Overall electrostatic charge generation increases with increasing frequency, stepping height, applied pressure at the same frequency, and sample size, but decreases with increasing dwell time between moves at the same frequency. The charge also increases with test duration until a saturation point is reached.

Though the transition from disposable to reusable surgical gowns holds substantial promise, successful implementation faces challenges. This study investigated tactile and thermophysiological comfort in surgical reusable gowns, comparing them with their disposable counterparts. Parameters such as surface roughness, compression, heat flux, and material rigidity were tested using a Fabric Touch Tester. Additionally, the water vapour permeability and static charge of the gowns were assessed. Thermophysiological comfort of the gowns was evaluated by measuring the temperature and relative humidity (RH) on test subjects during wear trials where they were engaged in an activity that mimics a surgeon’s performance. Skin temperature was monitored using iButton sensors and a thermal camera, and the impact on heart rate during the task was analysed. Following each test, participants provided subjective feedback through a questionnaire. The results indicated that reusable gowns boasted a smoother texture, translating to reduced friction on the skin and better heat transfer compared to the disposable fabrics, as indicated using FTT. They also exhibited higher water vapour permeability compared to their disposable counterparts. The wear trials revealed minimal differences in comfort between disposable and reusable gowns. While performing the activity, an increase in body temperature led to decreased RH, yet this rise did not adversely affect subject comfort, as validated using heart rate and questionnaire survey data. From a comfort point of view, switching from disposable to reusable gowns would not have drawbacks, meaning hospitals should be able to switch provided logistics and costs can be managed.

In this work, we introduced an embroidery-based stretchable (up to 60–70%) triboelectric nano-generator that could be attached to different parts of the human body such as fingers, knee, elbow, back, or shoulders, to sense the body movement. It can be used as activity recognition for health care and sport activity monitoring. The sensor was composed of different yarns embroidered on a stretchable conductive substrate, allowing it to sense diverse mechanical deformation of different body parts. Different stitching styles, patterns, stitch lengths, and shapes have been selected to cater to the unidirectional, bidirectional, and multidirectional force and obtain the maximum movement flexibility. In order to do embroidery on a stretchable substrate, a non-stretchable water-soluble second substrate has been added before embroidering, and is afterwards removed by application of steam. A sample of 1.5 × 6 cm² was used for sensing finger movement and generated a peak to peak voltage of 274.5 mV. The amount of generated voltage depended upon the application area on the body and its deformation, thread type, stitch type, stitch length, and shape of embroidery. A stitch length of more than 2 mm with a line density of 1 line per mm resulted in a stretchable sample. The state of the art of the developed sensors is their low price, flexibility, and low weight. They are all obtained with commercially available embroidery yarns and commercially available technology for their development.

Floor covering samples of different thickness, pile height, pile design, materials, construction methods, and applied finishes were selected for electrostatic characterization with a standard plotter platform and a newly designed digital platform. There is an existing standard ISO 6356 in which the voltage generated by a human walking on the carpet is measured with human involvement under controlled conditions. A walking person performs the original test procedure to generate the electrostatic charge and manually calculates results. In contrast, the newly designed system does not require a person to calculate peaks and valleys for the generated electrostatic charges, which offers advantages in terms of accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility, and eliminates human error. The electronic platform is extended with an automated foot for a fully automated test, called “automatic mode”, that has a fixed capacitive and resistive circuit, in replace of human body resistance, and capacitance that varies from person to person and over time. The procedure includes both the old and new platforms, where the new platform is placed in a “human walking” mode to compare the two and validate the new device. Next, all the floor coverings are tested in automatic mode with the automated foot to compare and validate results. We conclude that the new testing device can fully characterize the electrostatic behavior of textile without the involvement of a human, which offers advantages in terms of accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility.

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