A self-powered flexible tactile sensor utilizing chemical battery reactions to detect static and dynamic stimuli

Abstract

Flexible and wearable tactile sensors have become increasingly important in various fields, including healthcare monitoring and human-computer interaction. However, traditional resistive or capacitive sensors require an external power supply to continuously consume energy, while piezoelectric and triboelectric sensors respond only to dynamic mechanical stimuli. The development of tactile sensors that do not require an external power source and are capable of monitoring dynamic/static mechanical stimuli could complement the shortcomings of existing sensing devices. In this paper, we propose a simple, convenient, and environmentally friendly paper-based sandwich solid Zn-MnO2 battery, which can be used as a self-powered flexible tactile sensor through simple structural design. As a battery, it exhibited an open circuit voltage of 1.29 V, the highest short circuit current density of 2.8 mA/cm2, and a capacity of 2.2 mAh/cm2 at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm2, which is sufficient to power small electrical appliances. As a self-powered pressure sensor, it exhibits an average sensitivity of 1.27 μA/kPa in the 0–25 kPa and 0.14 μA/kPa within the 25–500 kPa pressure range, a response time of 42 ms and a recovery time of 41 ms, a minimum pressure resolution of tens of Pascals, and long-period repeatability and stability. This work will significantly contribute to the further advancement of intelligent, self-powered tactile sensors for a wide range of applications in fields such as human healthcare and human-machine interfaces for detecting static and dynamic stimuli.