A transparent single-friction-surface triboelectric generator and self-powered touch sensor

Abstract

We present a single-friction-surface triboelectric generator (STEG). The STEG is transparent and flexible, making possible the use of triboelectric generators in an extended range of applications. This device is fabricated in a simple and very low-cost way. When tapped with a finger, the STEG with micro-patterned PDMS surface achieved an open-circuit voltage over 130 V with a short-circuit current density of about 1 mA cm À2 . A STEG with a flat PET surface is employed as a transparent cover on the screen of a smartphone to generate electric energy from the control motion of the users. The STEG can directly power 3 LEDs when the phone screen is tapped during normal use. In addition, based on the STEG, we have developed a self-powered visualized touch sensor with 4 STEGs serving as the touch pads. The STEG shows promise for applications in systems such as self-powered touch panels and artificial skins.

Fully enclosed bearing-structured self-powered rotation sensor based on electrification at rolling interfaces for multi-tasking motion measurement

“…Triboelectric effect is receiving increasingly extensive attentions as fueled by its recently explored novel applications in energy harvesting [1][2][3][4][5], self-assembly [6,7], chemical process [8,9], x-ray emission [10,11], and self-powered sensing [12][13][14]. For a triboelectric sensor, electric signals are http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.01.015 2211-2855/& 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.…”

Flexible triboelectric nanogenerator from micro-nano structured polydimethylsiloxane

“…It extends potential application significantly because the bared finger can be used as a source of friction in contact with electrification, for example, in touch technology [17,18] . Zhang's group [17] produced a transparent STENG. As a transparent co-ver, it covers on the screen of a smart phone.…”

Broadband vibration energy harvesting using triboelectric mechanism

“…Many self-powered sensors e.g. chemical sensors [17,22], motion sensors [23,24], tactile sensor [25,26], magnetic sensor [27], pressure sensor [28] have also been investigated using triboelectric mechanism.…”