Self-powered velocity and trajectory tracking sensor array made of planar triboelectric nanogenerator pixels

We report self-powered velocity and trajectory tracking sensor (VTTS) array for detecting object motion, velocity, acceleration and trajectory based on single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator. The VTTS was fabricated by a cost-effective and simple-designed grid, which obtained the electric signals by the charge transition between the electrodes and the ground according to the electrostatic induction of objects. A self-powered VTTS arrays (9 x 9 pixels) with low-node mode was prepared and realized the real-time tracking of position, velocity, acceleration and trajectory for a moving object by visual observation. Using the simply electrode weave technique, a high-resolution VTTS with 41 x 41 pixels on an active size of 1 x 1 cm(2) was obtained and it only needs the 41+41=82 output ports. The device can detect a tiny displacement and trajectory for the high resolution of 250 pi. This work may provide a innovate design for preparing VTTS with ultrahigh pixels and low-cost. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.