High‐Brightness, High‐Resolution, and Flexible Triboelectrification‐Induced Electroluminescence Skin for Real‐Time Imaging and Human–Machine Information Interaction

Abstract

With perceiving and converting mechanical stimuli into electrical and visual readouts simultaneously, electronic skin endows a safe and effective interaction between human and environment. However, both weak optical signals and low spatial resolution are still challenging the potential application of electronic skin in human–machine information interaction (HMI). Herein, a novel high‐brightness, high‐resolution, and flexible triboelectrification‐induced electroluminescence (TIEL) skin is developed for real‐time imaging and HMI. The TIEL skin composed of ZnS:Cu‐embedded polyvinylidene‐fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene (ZEPH) film can convert gentle touch stimuli into real‐time light emission at trigger pressure threshold as low as 1.25 kPa. Moreover, collected by fiber optic spectrometer, the brightness of TIEL is 2.5 times as strong as an LED lighted up by 2 V power supply. Meanwhile, the bright TIEL emission can also be observed by the naked eyes in the daytime. Furthermore, a spatial resolution of less than 220 µm can be achieved in real‐time TIEL imaging. Additionally, by integrating the ZEPH films with the microcontroller, a wearable optical–electrical dual‐output‐based wireless communication system is constructed to control the trajectory of a miniature car. The unique operation of the desired TIEL with simple fabrication demonstrates a great potential in trajectory tracking, skin prosthesis, robotics, and advanced HMI.

Perspiration-Wicking and Luminescent On-Skin Electronics Based on Ultrastretchable Janus E-Textiles

“…Yet conventional wearable devices are usually made up of rigid, brittle, and hermetical matrixes that cannot realize the intimate contact with human skin nor satisfy long-term wearing comfort. Fortunately, elastic microfibers/textiles with porous networks, high specific area, and a low Young’s modulus perfectly meet the requirements to develop comfortable and conformable wearing electronics. − Additionally, visualized stretchable electronics with human-readable visual optical signals have attracted considerable research interest due to the highly efficient human–machine dialogue in solid-state lighting, displays, and biomedicine. − So far, the reported visualized electronic skins are mainly focused on electroluminescence , and mechanoluminescence . Nevertheless, the development of the mechano-/electro-induced luminescent devices ineluctably implicates complicated preparation processes, high cost, and an external power supply (e.g., electroluminescent devices require voltage higher than 1 kV) .…”

Recent Progress in Flexible Pressure Sensor Arrays

“…In addition to combining the triboelectric effect and mechanoluminescent mechanism, a tribotronic transistor [ 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 ] was proposed by using the electrostatic potential of the triboelectric effect as a gate voltage to control charge carriers’ transport. Similarly, a new combination of the triboelectric effect and electroluminescence was also proposed [ 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ]. It could visualize dynamic motions with a triboelectrification-induced electroluminescence sensor.…”

Energy Interplay in Materials: Unlocking Next‐Generation Synchronous Multisource Energy Conversion with Layered 2D Crystals

“…Some research has explored the exploitation of this rich energy interplay in material composites or multicomponent devices for extended or enhanced functionalities. Jia et al [108] demonstrated a flexible e-skin device that emits light when it was touched, by incorporating a ZnS:Cu-embedded polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (ZEPH) composite film that exhibited triboelectricity (M → E) to provide energy for photoluminescence (E → P). However, only the output light spectrum and intensity were measured, along with the applied mechanical force.…”