Self-Powered Multifunctional Human-Machine Interfaces for Respiratory Monitoring and Smart System Control

Innovative human-machine interfaces (HMIs) have attracted increasing attention in the field of system control and assistive devices for disabled people. Conventional HMIs that are designed based on the interaction of physical movements or language communication are not effective or appliable to severely disabled users. Here, a breath-driven triboelectric sensor is reported consisting of a soft fixator and two circular-shaped triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for self-powered respiratory monitoring and smart system control. The sensor device is capable of effectively detecting the breath variation and generates responsive electrical signals based on different breath patterns without affecting the normal respiration. A breathing-driven HMI system is demonstrated for severely disabled people to control electrical household appliances and shows an intelligent respiration monitoring system for emergence alarm. The new system provides the advantages of high sensitivity, good stability, low cost, and ease of use. This work will not only expand the development of the TENGs in self-powered sensors, but also opens a new avenue to develop assistive devices for disabled people through innovation of advanced HMIs.

Automated summary

This study presents a breath-driven triboelectric sensor for self-powered respiratory monitoring and smart system control. The sensor effectively detects breath variations and generates electrical signals based on breath patterns, with advantages of high sensitivity, good stability, low cost, and ease of use.