Table 9 Benefits and challenges related to 3D-printing of the nano MEH systems
Benefits | The accurate pattern-making ability for architectural customization of the nanogenerators. The tiny-structured patterns allow easy implementation and mechanical resilience to electronics |
Lower power consumption and environmental impact. Facilitates long-term sustained production | |
Provides faster speed and high-fabrication compatibility | |
Less human intervention is required in the printing of the parts and post-treatment | |
Abatement of waste materials and overall material usage | |
3D printing is a safe, sensitive, and flexible fabrication facility | |
Excellent chemical attributes characterize the printed objects | |
FDM printing gives heat resistance and good mechanical strength to the prototypes | |
Facilitates easy and manual removal of the supporting elements, i.e., water-soluble wax at the end of the printing process | |
Fast solidification of the printed components on various substrates | |
Exceptional printing accuracy and resolution | |
Limitations | The complex integration of functional polymers |
To achieve and maintain the tiny gap required between triboelectric polymer surfaces is challenging | |
The formation of precise macro/nano dimensional architectures is yet to be studied | |
The combination of various materials for 3D printed TENGs is problematic | |
The development of integrated systems comprising of nanogenerators and functional devices and simultaneous handling of multiple printing materials is still challenging | |
3D printed nano MEH systems are needed to be biocompatible and integrated with biological tissues | |
End-of-life recyclability/biodegradability of the 3D-printed components is a critical concern to reduce impacts on the environment and the human body | |
For complex models, the printing time is often high | |
Digital light processing (DLP) demands more light sources, for instance, arc lamps during printing | |
A liquid crystal display is employed at the entire 3D-printed deposit during a single layer of the DLP | |
In 3D printing of fabrics, it is challenging to develop appropriate CAD modeling in order to facilitate the simulation of the draping of the textile across a curved surface | |
3D-printed textiles are not strong enough and tend to break easily due to the conventional textiles' lesser flexibility. Hence, they are not very suitable for day to day textile applications |