中文版本

Opportunity

The development of wearable electronics, particularly in applications like healthcare monitoring, environmental sensing, and human-machine interfaces, has been limited by powering issues. Traditional flexible electronics, such as electronic skin (E-skin), require thin, soft, and stretchable power sources, but existing solutions often compromise on size, weight, or cost. Additionally, current triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) face challenges in stretchability and signal stability under skin deformations, as well as electrical crosstalk in multi-channel sensor arrays. These limitations hinder their integration into high-resolution tactile sensing systems. This patent addresses these gaps by introducing a stretchable, self-powered tactile sensor inspired by trampoline mechanics, enabling stable performance under mechanical deformations and high-resolution tactile mapping.  

Technology

The patent describes an electronic sensing apparatus comprising a triboelectric generator encapsulated between a bottom substrate and a top encapsulation layer. The triboelectric generator generates a sensing signal in response to deformations (e.g., stretching, twisting, bending) or pressure applied to the layers. Key innovations include:  

1. Micro-structured Triboelectric Layer: The top encapsulation layer features a roughened surface with pyramid-like microstructures (formed using sandpaper molds) to increase contact area and enhance charge generation.  
2. Trampoline-Inspired Electrode Design: A copper electrode is patterned with a central island and peripheral islands connected by serpentine metallic traces. This design distributes strain during deformation, enabling stretchability up to 40% without signal degradation.  
3. Self-Powered Sensing: The device operates in single-electrode mode, where contact with an external object (e.g., skin) generates triboelectric charges, inducing a measurable signal upon separation.  
4. Crosstalk Suppression: For array applications, a silver nanowire (AgNW) shielding layer is added between sensor units to minimize electrical interference.  

Advantages

• High Sensitivity: Microstructures increase effective contact area, achieving a sensitivity of 0.367 mV/Pa.  
• Stretchability: Withstands up to 40% strain while maintaining stable outputs.  
• Durability: Robust under repeated mechanical stress (2,500+ cycles).  
• Conformability: Thin (350 µm) and lightweight (0.08 g/cm²), adheres to skin via Van der Waals forces.  
• Self-Powered: Eliminates need for external power sources.  
• Scalability: AgNW shielding enables high-density sensor arrays without crosstalk.  

Application

• Wearable Health Monitoring: Real-time detection of physiological signals (e.g., pulse, pressure).  
• Human-Machine Interfaces: Gesture recognition for smart gloves or prosthetics.  
• Tactile Mapping: High-resolution pressure sensing for robotics or VR/AR.  
• Artificial Skin: Replicating touch sensitivity in prosthetics or industrial sensors.  
• Flexible Keyboards: Self-powered input devices.