Self-Powered Interactive Fiber Electronics with Visual-Digital Synergies

Adv Mater. 2021 Nov;33(45):e2104681. doi: 10.1002/adma.202104681. Epub 2021 Sep 24.

Abstract

Fiber electronics with mechanosensory functionality are highly desirable in healthcare, human-machine interfaces, and robotics. Most efforts are committed to optimize the electronically readable interface of fiber mechanoreceptor, while the user interface based on naked-eye readable output is rarely explored. Here, a scalable fiber electronics that can simultaneously visualize and digitize the mechanical stimulus without external power supply, named self-powered optoelectronic synergistic fiber sensors (SOEFSs), are reported. By coupling of space and surface charge polarization, a new mechanoluminescent (ML)-triboelectric synergistic effect is realized. It contributes to remarkable enhancement of both electrical (by 100%) and optical output (by 30%), as well as novel temporal-spatial resolution mode for motion capturing. Based on entirely new thermoplastic ML material system and spinning process, industrial-level continuously manufacture and recycling processes of SOEFS are realized. Furthermore, SOEFSs' application in human-machine interface, virtual reality, and underwater sensing, rescue, and information interaction is demonstrated.

Keywords: fiber electronics; human-machine interfaces; mechanoluminescent; triboelectric nanogenerator; underwater; visual-digital synergies.

MeSH terms

  • Electric Power Supplies
  • Electrodes
  • Electronics / instrumentation
  • Electronics / methods*
  • Equipment Design
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers / chemistry
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Nanofibers / chemistry
  • Optical Fibers*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry
  • Wearable Electronic Devices

Substances

  • Fluorocarbon Polymers
  • Polyvinyls
  • polyvinylidene fluoride