High-efficiency super-elastic liquid metal based triboelectric fibers and textiles

Abstract

Fibers that harvest mechanical energy via the triboelectric effect are excellent candidates as power sources for wearable electronics and functional textiles. Thus far however, their fabrication remains complex, and exhibited performances are below the state-of-the-art of 2D planar configurations, making them impractical. Here, we demonstrate the scalable fabrication of micro-structured stretchable triboelectric fibers with efficiencies on par with planar systems. We use the thermal drawing process to fabricate advanced elastomer fibers that combine a micro-textured surface with the integration of several liquid metal electrodes. Such fibers exhibit high electrical outputs regardless of repeated large deformations, and can sustain strains up to 560%. They can also be woven into deformable machine-washable textiles with high electrical outputs up to 490 V, 175 nC. In addition to energy harvesting, we demonstrate self-powered breathing monitoring and gesture sensing capabilities, making this triboelectric fiber platform an exciting avenue for multi-functional wearable systems and smart textiles.

Flourishing energy harvesters for future body sensor network: from single to multiple energy sources

“…Reprinted from ref ( Su et al., 2020b ) with permission, Copyright©2020 Elsevier Ltd. (E) A super-elastic and liquid metal-based triboelectric fiber fabricated with a controlled thermal drawing process. Reprinted from ref ( Dong et al., 2020c ) with permission, Copyright©2019 Springer Nature. (F) A triboelectric-based smart mat with unique electrode patterns as a scalable floor monitoring system enabled by advanced deep learning analytics.…”

“… (E) A super-elastic and liquid metal-based triboelectric fiber fabricated with a controlled thermal drawing process. Reprinted from ref ( Dong et al., 2020c ) with permission, Copyright©2019 Springer Nature. …”

“…Besides polymer-based thin film structures, functional textiles and soft fibers are becoming another promising platform for wearable TENGs. Figure 2 E shows a super-elastic liquid metal-based triboelectric fiber fabricated with a thermal drawing process, which exhibits high electrical outputs and superior stretchability up to 560% ( Dong et al., 2020c ). Such fibers can also be woven into machine-washable textiles with an output voltage of 490 V. Fixing the fiber on a stretchable belt that is worn around the torso, highly sensitive, and self-powered breathing monitoring is demonstrated with the aid of the surface texture and six liquid metal electrodes inside a single fiber.…”

Stretchable and Shape‐Adaptable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Biocompatible Liquid Electrolyte for Biomechanical Energy Harvesting and Wearable Human–Machine Interaction

“…[ 9–12 ] However, the research on the highly stretchable and compatible energy devices still fall behind. [ 3,13,14 ] Therefore, it is highly desired but still challenging to realize the high stretchability, biocompatibility, and durability of energy devices, which can harvest biomechanical energy from human motion and directly power wearable electronics. [ 13,15 ]…”

Self-Powered Non-Contact Triboelectric Rotation Sensor with Interdigitated Film

“…In addition, with the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence technologies, rotational speed sensors will have broad applications. Scholars and enterprises have been focusing on developing new sensors characterized by low cost, ease of manufacturing, and reliable operation [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”