Simultaneous Biomechanical and Biochemical Monitoring for Self-Powered Breath Analysis
Bohao Liu, Alberto Libanori, Yihao Zhou, Xiao Xiao, Guangzhong Xie, Xun Zhao, Yuanjie Su, Si Wang, Zhen Yuan, Zaihua Duan, Jun‐Ge Liang, Yadong Jiang, Huiling Tai, Jun Chen
Abstract
The high moisture level of exhaled gases unavoidably limits the sensitivity of breath analysis via wearable bioelectronics. Inspired by pulmonary lobe expansion/contraction observed during respiration, a respiration-driven triboelectric sensor (RTS) was devised for simultaneous respiratory biomechanical monitoring and exhaled acetone concentration analysis. A tin oxide-doped polyethyleneimine membrane was devised to play a dual role as both a triboelectric layer and an acetone sensing material. The prepared RTS exhibited excellent ability in measuring respiratory flow rate (2-8 L/min) and breath frequency (0.33-0.8 Hz). Furthermore, the RTS presented good performance in biochemical acetone sensing (2-10 ppm range at high moisture levels), which was validated via finite element analysis. This work has led to the development of a novel real-time active respiratory monitoring system and strengthened triboelectric-chemisorption coupling sensing mechanism.