Development of battery-free neural interface and modulated control of tibialis anterior muscle via common peroneal nerve based on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs)

We developed a flexible and adjustable neural interface as a generic electrode for selective stimulation and recording of a sciatic nerve. We also demonstrated wearable stacked triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with confinement that provides clear optimization range. Direct stimulation of a sciatic nerve and a common peroneal (CP) nerve using the stacked TENGs combined with neural interfaces was achieved to control a tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. This work is a milestone where integration of TENGs with flexible neural interfaces opens a way of realizing battery-free implantable neuromodulators in the near future.312