Self-powered ultra-sensitive millijoule impact sensor using room temperature cured PDMS based triboelectric nanogenerator

Real time detection of impacts in millisecond range is getting much attention nowadays owing to its possibility in sports for accurate judgement of game movements. Extensive research efforts have also been made to detect impacts directly to assess object security and prediction of its path. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) are emerging as power bank for internet of things (IoT) sensors and have achieved recognition as self-powered sensors. In this work, triboelectric nanogenerator technology is applied to develop an ultra-sensitive impact detector using room temperature cured PDMS and Cu electrodes under contact-separation mode. This TENG produced a power of 14 mu W across a load of 20 M omega under continuous excitation of 1 N force at 6 Hz frequency. Capacitance model is employed to evaluate its resistance and capacitive impedance and to obtain maximum power from self-powered impact detector. Experimental demonstration of capacitor charging validates capacitance model as appropriate model to evaluate TENG. Detailed analysis of small energy impacts are performed and impact time for difference impacts are decoded. The impact detector demonstrated real-time detection of impacts with a sensitivity of 4.1 V/mJ, which is the highest sensitivity compared to recent reports. Various advantages such as simple synthesize procedure, durability of material, self-powered mechanism, high sensitivity, and ultra-fast detection of millijoule energy impacts of the prepared impact sensor demands this device as potential candidate for impact sensing.

Automated summary

This study developed an ultra-sensitive impact detector using triboelectric nanogenerator technology, achieving real-time detection of impacts in the millisecond range with the highest sensitivity. Experimental validation confirmed the feasibility of the device, which offers advantages such as simple synthesis procedure, material durability, self-powered mechanism, high sensitivity, and fast detection of vibrations.