Applying a triboelectric nanogenerator by using facial mask for flexible touch sensor

With the development of artificial intelligence, research on the touch sensor has become a popular object. Here, we proposed a novel triboelectric nanogenerator based on the facial mask (FM-TENG) for harvesting mechanical energy, and it can also serve as a flexible touch sensor. A series of triboelectricity experiments show that facial mask has a strong ability to lose electrons. The FM-TENG can generate good performance, as evidenced by peak short-circuit current (I-sc), open-circuit voltage (V-oc), and power density values of 37.48 mu A, 1037 V, and 727.78 mu W/cm(2), respectively. Commercial electronics, including an electronic calculator, and a total of 150 high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs), were easily driven by the FM-TENG. Additionally, the facial mask is harmless material for human skin, and thus it is smeared on the skin to form a self-powered flexible touch sensor to distinguish the different states of fingers. As a new-efficient method for developing low-cost bio-mechanical energy harvesters and self-powered touch sensors, we also foresee that an alert touch sensing system represents tremendous progress in the smart wireless sensor networks. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

With the advancement of artificial intelligence, research on touch sensors has become popular. A new triboelectric nanogenerator based on a facial mask has been proposed, which can harvest mechanical energy and serve as a flexible touch sensor. The generator demonstrates excellent performance, driving commercial electronics and being harmless to human skin.