Self-Powered and Imperceptible Electronic Tattoos Based on Silk Protein Nanofiber and Carbon Nanotubes for Human-Machine Interfaces

Triboelectric electronic skins (E-skins) can be used as primary interactive devices for human-machine interfaces (HMIs). However, devices for seamless on-skin operations must be soft and deformable, and attachable to and compatible with the skin. In this paper, a substrate-free, skin-compatible, skin-attachable, mechanically deformable, and self-powered E-tattoo sticker consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silk nanofibers (SNFs) is presented. The E-tattoo can be imperceptibly tattooed on the skin and removed with water. When the device touches naked skin, triboelectric signals are generated. Because of the micro-to-nano hierarchical pores (with high surface-to-volume ratios), contact-induced electrification generates a power density of approximate to 6 mW m(-2) and pressure sensitivity of approximate to 0.069 kPa(-1). The power generated on the tattooed skin can activate small electronic devices. Moreover, whole-body joint movements can be monitored and tactile movements can be mapped by reading the generated electrical signals. The presented E-tattoo system can promote the development of flexible energy and sensor systems for self-powered, energy-autonomous, imperceptible E-skin devices for HMIs and artificial intelligent robotics and prostheses.

Automated summary

The study introduces a substrate-free, skin-compatible, deformable triboelectric E-tattoo sticker that can be tattooed on and removed from the skin with water. When the device touches the skin, it generates triboelectric signals, producing power to activate small electronic devices and monitor joint and tactile movements.