Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Based Electronic Sensor System for Food Applications

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have garnered significant attention due to their ability to efficiently harvest energy from the surrounding environment and from living organisms, as well as to enable the efficient utilization of various materials, such as organic polymers, metals, and inorganic compounds. As a result, TENGs represent an emerging class of self-powered devices that can power small sensors or serve as multifunctional sensors themselves to detect a variety of physical and chemical stimuli. In this context, TENGs are expected to play a pivotal role in the entire process of food manufacturing. The rapid development of the Internet of Things and sensor technology has built a huge platform for sensor systems for food testing. TENG-based sensor data provide novel judgment and classification features, offering a fast and convenient means of food safety detection. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest progress in the application of TENGs in the food field, mainly involving food quality testing, food monitoring, food safety, and agricultural production. We also introduce different TENG-based, self-powered devices for food detection and improvement from the perspective of material strategies and manufacturing solutions. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and potential opportunities for future development of TENGs in the food field. We hope that this work can provide new insights into the structural and electronic design of TENGs, thereby benefiting environmental protection and food health.