Simultaneous electrophysiological recording and self-powered biosignal monitoring using epidermal, nanotexturized, triboelectronic devices

Abstract

The fabrication of multifunctional epidermal electronic devices capable of efficiently reading electrophysiological signals and converting low-amplitude mechanical signals into electric outputs promises to pave the way towards the development of self-powered wearable sensors, smart consumer electronics, and human-machine interfaces. This article describes the scalable and cost-effective fabrication of epidermal, nanotexturized, triboelectronic devices (EnTDs). EnTDs can be conformably worn on the skin and efficiently monitor electrophysiological signals, temperature, and hydration levels. EnTDs, while measuring electrophysiological signals, can also convert imperceptible time-variant body motions into electrical signals using a nanotexturized triboelectric layer, enabling the self-powered monitoring of respiration, swallowing, and arterial pulse. These results suggest the potential of EnTDs as a new class of multifunctional skin-like sensors for biomedical monitoring and self-powered sensing applications.

Wearable Chemical Sensors: Emerging Systems for On-Body Analytical Chemistry

“…Electroactive analytes or analytes generating redox-active reaction products can be easily measured electrochemically, 1 while optical methods are often preferred for monitoring molecules with favorable absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, or colorimetric properties. 22,23 In contrast, mass and thermal sensors are typically implemented for monitoring physical parameters, such as temperature 24,25 and motion, 26,27 but not common for on-body chemical sensing.…”

“…For wearable chemical sensors, electrochemical devices (including amperometric, potentiometric, and impedance sensors) and optical (colorimetric, fluorescent, and luminescent) sensors have been the most commonly explored devices. Electroactive analytes or analytes generating redox-active reaction products can be easily measured electrochemically, while optical methods are often preferred for monitoring molecules with favorable absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, or colorimetric properties. , In contrast, mass and thermal sensors are typically implemented for monitoring physical parameters, such as temperature , and motion, , but not common for on-body chemical sensing.…”

Emerging Development of Auto-Charging Sensors for Respiration Monitoring

“…e majority of respiratory signal monitoring devices rely on direct contact between electrical objects and individuals [86][87][88]. Chen et al, on the other hand, saw a gap in the research of unaffected respiratory nerves and developed a microstructure sensor with an auto-charged gauge sensor that detected data gathering without direct skin contact [89].…”

Energy Solutions for Wearable Sensors: A Review

“…Nanotexturized triboelectric devices can also measure electrophysiological signals and simultaneously convert imperceptible time-variant motions of the body into electrical signals. This process enables the self-powered monitoring of respiration, swallowing and arterial pulses [ 122 ]. Recently, fire-resistant and self-extinguishing TENGs with a stable electrical output under 200 °C have been proposed for special users such as firefighters [ 123 ].…”