Wearable Nanogenerators power health monitors in off-grid regions
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Date
2025-12-29
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IEEE
Abstract
Health monitoring devices in remote areas often don’t have reliable power, making it hard for healthcare staff to help these patients promptly. Because some regions lack reliable electricity, healthcare workers usually struggle to monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. We suggest combining wearable nanogenerators with health monitoring systems so that the user's motion powers them. Combining triboelectric and piezoelectric principles, the tiny devices can provide the electrical power needed to operate health monitors when people walk or move their arms. This system's algorithm for managing energy permits the devices to operate longer. Simulations of different motions confirm that the proposed system can provide sufficient electricity for the health monitors to run independently. This solution works best for hard-to-reach or underserved areas, providing a more sustainable and affordable alternative to standard power-dependent health devices. The novelty of this study lies in the integrated approach of coupling hybrid piezoelectric– triboelectric nanogenerators with an adaptive energy management algorithm designed specifically for wearable healthcare devices. Unlike prior works that focus primarily on material enhancement or single-source energy harvesting, this research emphasises a co-optimised framework that integrates motion-based energy conversion, storage regulation, and power utilisation control. The contribution of this work is the development of a self-sustaining, algorithm-governed wearable system capable of reliable health data monitoring in off-grid and energy-scarce environments.
Description
This study demonstrates how innovative, self-powered wearable health devices can transform health monitoring in remote and underserved communities. By leveraging advanced nanogenerator technology and adaptive energy management, the research addresses real barriers to healthcare access, offering practical solutions that fit the needs of people living in off-grid areas. These efforts advance SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by enabling reliable health monitoring, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through sustainable device power, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by fostering technological progress, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by expanding healthcare access for marginalized populations. Aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, the study supports national priorities to strengthen the health system, enhance service delivery, and promote locally adaptable innovation that uplifts even the hardest-to-reach communities.
Keywords
Temperature sensors, Temperature measurement, Technological innovation, Nanogenerators, Medical services, Power system reliability, Reliability, Biomedical monitoring, Triboelectricity, Monitoring
Citation
Lamba, A., Shamya, A., Fallah, M. H., Bahodirkhonugli, S. I., Nallakumar, R., & Ali, G. (2025, November). Wearable Nanogenerators power health monitors in off-grid regions. In 2025 International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Pioneering Innovations in Robotics and Electric Mobility (INSPIRE) (pp. 331-336). IEEE.