Energizing geriatric healthcare: A triboelectric energy harvester with self-powered morse code generator and IoT-Enabled remote sensing tactile patch

Abstract

Self-powered tactile sensors unleash a diverse array of distinctive interaction techniques and other possibilities in the contemporary world of small-scale electronics. In many circumstances of information exchange, the touch sensor is a fundamental and crucial human-machine interface (HMI). Rapid advancements in portable, wearable, and Internet of Things technologies demand a tactile sensing system to be thin, flexible, effective, self-powered, and secure. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based touch sensors are the future of flexible and self-powered sensors. Triboelectric nanogenerator based sensors exhibit excellent material compatibility and can produce substantial electrical signals even when frequencies are low and forces are moderate; this motivates researchers to develop self-powered triboelectric sensors. Here, we have proposed a skin-conforming and flexible tactile sensor with a micro-patterned dielectric surface, driven by a stencil-printed activated carbon electrode (Printed carbon PC-TENG). The device performance has been enhanced through the optimization of its output, achieved by analysing its structure using Finite Element Analysis in conjunction with the electrostatic module of COMSOL Multiphysics. The fabricated device produces a voltage in an open circuit measuring 242V along with a power density of 14.69 μW/cm2 in single electrode mode. Further, it can be employed as an energy harvester, demonstrated through energizing LEDs, LCD, Wristwatches, and digital ring counter. The proposed TENG can also serve as an international Morse code generator and self-powered sensor for IoT-enabled remote-sensing finger patches, providing medical assistance to geriatric and bedridden patients.