Flexible triboelectric nanogenerators using transparent copper nanowire electrodes: energy harvesting, sensing human activities and material recognition
Biswajoy Bagchi, Priyankan Datta, Carmen Salvadores Fernandez, Priya Gupta, Shireen Jaufuraully, Anna L. David, Dimitrios Siassakos, Adrien E. Desjardins, Manish K. Tiwari
Abstract
under human finger tapping. The device is robust, flexible and noncytotoxic as assessed by stretching/bending maneuvers, corrosion tests, continuous operation for 8000 cycles, and biocompatibility tests using human fibroblast cells. The device can power 115 light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a digital calculator; sense bending and motion from the human hand; and transmit Morse code signals. The robustness, flexibility, transparency, and non-cytotoxicity of the device render it particularly promising for a wide range of energy harvesting and advanced healthcare applications, such as sensorised smart gloves for tactile sensing, material identification and safer surgical intervention.