Auxetic Foam-Based Contact-Mode Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Highly Sensitive Self-Powered Strain Sensing Capabilities to Monitor Human Body Movement

Steven L. Zhang, Ying-Chih Lai, Xu He, Ruiyuan Liu, Yunlong Zi, Zhong Lin Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

189 Scopus citations

Abstract

The first contact-mode triboelectric self-powered strain sensor using an auxetic polyurethane foam, conductive fabric, and polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) is fabricated. Utilizing the auxetic properties of the polyurethane foam, the auxetic polyurethane foam would expand into the PTFE when the foam is stretched, causing contact electrification. Due to a larger contact area between the PTFE and the foam as the foam is stretched, this device can serve effectively as a strain sensor. The sensitivity of this method is explored, and this sensor has the highest sensitivity in all triboelectric nanogenerator devices that are used previously as a strain sensor. Different applications of this strain sensor are shown, and this sensor can be used as a human body monitoring system, self-powered scale to measure weight, and a seat belt to measure body movements inside a car seat.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1606695
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume27
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2017
Externally publishedYes

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