What are the key challenges in integrating TENGs into textile-based energy harvesting systems?

The key challenges in integrating TENGs into textile-based energy harvesting systems involve maintaining performance under the complex deformations and washing conditions of textiles, ensuring breathability and comfort, and achieving seamless integration without compromising the textile's original properties. Textiles undergo complex deformations like stretching, bending, twisting, and compression during normal use, which can cause delamination, cracking, or degradation of the TENG components. Moreover, textiles need to be washable, requiring the TENG materials and integration methods to withstand repeated exposure to water, detergents, and mechanical stress during washing cycles. The integration of TENGs should not significantly reduce the textile's breathability, which is essential for comfort. The added weight and stiffness of the TENG should also be minimized to avoid discomfort and maintain the textile's drape and feel. Achieving a seamless integration that is durable, washable, breathable, and comfortable is a significant challenge. For example, coating textile fibers with a thin layer of a triboelectric material can improve washability, but it may also reduce breathability and require careful selection of detergents. Similarly, incorporating TENGs as separate patches can simplify fabrication but may compromise comfort and durability.