Self-powered Sensor Research Articles

In-situ fabrication of CuO/ZnO heterojunctions at room temperature for a self-powered UV sensor

This work presents a novel, low-cost, wet chemical fabrication technique to develop a self-powered photonic sensor. Thin films of zinc and copper were DC-sputtered on an ITO-coated glass slide, followed by an in-situ one-step oxidation of copper and zinc to form CuO (copper oxide) and ZnO (zinc oxide) heterojunctions at room temperature. The surface morphologies and chemical compositions characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the formation of heterojunctions between p-type CuO nanowires and n-type ZnO nanoparticles. The material's light absorbance was measured using ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The fabricated device works in a photovoltaic mode; as photons strike the substrate, the built-in potential separates excitons, resulting in an electrical current without an external bias. The current-voltage characteristics of the device studied using a 365 nm centered laser radiation revealed an ideal p-n junction behavior. The sensor demonstrated stable and reproducible responsivity and photosensitivity of 0.108 A/W and 114, respectively, under a periodic UV radiation condition.

Transparent and Efficient Wood-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Sensing.

Wood possesses several advantageous qualities including innocuity, low cost, aesthetic appeal, and excellent biocompatibility, and its naturally abundant functional groups and diverse structural forms facilitate functionalization modification. As the most sustainable bio-based material, the combination of wood with triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) stands poised to significantly advance the cause of green sustainable production while mitigating the escalating challenges of energy consumption. However, the inherent weak polarizability of natural wood limits its development for TENGs. Herein, we present the pioneering development of a flexible transparent wood-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TW-TENG) combining excellent triboelectrical properties, optical properties, and wood aesthetics through sodium chlorite delignification and epoxy resin impregnation. Thanks to the strong electron-donating groups in the epoxy resin, the TW-TENG obtained an open-circuit voltage of up to ~127 V, marking a remarkable 530% enhancement compared to the original wood. Furthermore, durability and stability were substantiated through 10,000 working cycles. In addition, the introduction of epoxy resin and lignin removal endowed the TW-TENG with excellent optical characteristics, with optical transmittance of up to 88.8%, while preserving the unique texture and aesthetics of the wood completely. Finally, we show the application prospects of TW-TENGs in the fields of self-power supply, motion sensing, and smart home through the demonstration of a TW-TENG in the charging and discharging of capacitors and the output of electrical signals in different scenarios.

Self-Powered Pressure-Temperature Bimodal Sensing Based on the Piezo-Pyroelectric Effect for Robotic Perception.

Multifunctional sensors have played a crucial role in constructing high-integration electronic networks. Most of the current multifunctional sensors rely on multiple materials to simultaneously detect different physical stimuli. Here, we demonstrate the large piezo-pyroelectric effect in ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) single crystals for simultaneous pressure and temperature sensing. The outstanding piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PMN-PT result in rapid response speed and high sensitivity, with values of 46 ms and 28.4 nA kPa-1 for pressure sensing, and 1.98 s and 94.66 nC °C-1 for temperature detection, respectively. By leveraging the distinct differences in the response speed of piezoelectric and pyroelectric responses, the piezo-pyroelectric effect of PMN-PT can effectively detect pressure and temperature from mixed-force thermal stimuli, which enables a robotic hand for stimuli classification. With appealing multifunctionality, fast speed, high sensitivity, and compact structure, the proposed self-powered bimodal sensor therefore holds significant potential for high-performance artificial perception.

Monolithic three-dimensional hafnia-based artificial nerve system

Artificial nerve systems that mimic the tactile perception ability of human skin could be adopted in the realization of devices for a hyperconnected society, including prosthetic devices, interfaces for virtual reality, and smart sensors. The system consists of a pressure sensor, memory, and signal processing circuit, which possess the capability of generating sensory neuron-like signals. Although technological advances have been made in semiconductor-based memory and transistors over the decades, sensor technology is still relying on micro-electromechanical systems, which are hard to realize miniaturization/high-density and high-performance technology. Here, we demonstrate a monolithic three-dimensional integrated artificial nerve on the basis of ferroelectric HfxZr1-xO2 for use in the core element of neuromorphic memory and a self-powered piezoelectric pressure sensor. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) state of hafnia film was formed between orthorhombic and tetragonal phases for high piezoelectric performance. The MPB-based sensor was integrated with self-rectifying ferroelectric tunnel junction memory and silicon-based ring oscillator. We realized a frequency-modulated pulse-like synaptic signal with pressure detection ability over a wide range of 1–50 kPa and a good sensitivity of 0.35 mV/kPa. Also, we demonstrate the real-time frequency-modulated operation of the artificial nerve system by adjusting the functional properties of the hafnia films.

An origami structure triboelectric nanogenerator based on PVDF/BaTiO3 for muscle strain monitoring in running sports

Wearable sensing devices for monitoring human muscle health have received much attention. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), which is renewable, sustainable, and green, will promote the development of wearable electronic devices. However, there is still room for development in the material and structural design of wearable TENGs. In this work, we proposed a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) film doped with BaTiO3, named PVDF/BaTiO3, for triboelectric nanogenerator (PB-TENG) fabrication. The PVDF/BaTiO3 film has a unique surface micro-structure of porous scales and a fluffy 3D network architecture, which is beneficial for enhancing triboelectric efficiency. The cross-elastic origami architecture of PB-TENG brings high stability and recoverable mechanical properties to PB-TENG devices. According to the results, the maximum output power of PB-TENG can reach 2.15 mW with a load of 25 MΩ. The transferred charge (Qsc) of PB-TENG can arrive at 541 nC. Besides, the PB-TENG can act as a self-powered sensor for muscle strain diagnosis and monitoring. This research provides a new path for intelligent sports development.

Ion gradient induced self-powered flexible pressure sensor

Various self-powered flexible pressure sensors (including piezoelectric, triboelectric and electrochemical types) have attracted great attentions and made significant progresses, but they also have some shortcomings, such as the inability to detect static pressure (piezoelectric and triboelectric types) and performance degradation (electrochemical type). Inspired by the ion gradient power generation mechanism, we propose a self-powered flexible pressure sensor based on pressure regulated ion gradient coupled with piezoresistive effect. The proposed pressure sensor is mainly composed of high humidity region (LiCl-filter paper (FP)) and low humidity region (carbon nanotubes-FP). The results show that the sensor can directly output current signal with a wide pressure range (0.1–100 kPa). Based on the output voltage and current signals and the morphology characterization, the power generation and pressure sensing mechanisms of the sensor are clarified using the ion gradient and piezoresistive effects. In addition, the sensor can be used to identify different respiratory states in combination with machine learning. This work provides a new strategy for constructing self-powered pressure sensor based on pressure regulated ion gradient strategy coupled with piezoresistive effect.

Advanced Triboelectric Applications of Biomass-Derived Materials: A Comprehensive Review.

The utilization of triboelectric materials has gained considerable attention in recent years, offering a sustainable approach to energy harvesting and sensing technologies. Biomass-derived materials, owing to their abundance, renewability, and biocompatibility, offer promising avenues for enhancing the performance and versatility of triboelectric devices. This paper explores the synthesis and characterization of biomass-derived materials, their integration into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), and their applications in energy harvesting, self-powered sensors, and environmental monitoring. This review presents an overview of the emerging field of advanced triboelectric applications that utilize the unique properties of biomass-derived materials. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and opportunities in employing biomass-derived materials for triboelectric applications, emphasizing the potential for sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions.

Compatible interface based self-charging fiber for wearable electronic

With the rapid development of wearable devices, there is an increasing demand for flexible, eco-friendly, and reliable power sources. The self-charging energy system, which integrates energy collection and storage, has emerged as one of the most promising sustainable energy sources, with an urgent need for its application and implementation. In this work, we proposed a fiber-shaped self-charging system based on supercapacitor (SC) and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). For the supercapacitor, a silver-decorated carbon fiber with PEDOT: PSS coated is used as the positive electrode, while carbon nanotube film/Fe2O3/MoS2 serves as the negative electrode. The assembled coaxial structure not only shortens the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, effectively improving charge transfer efficiency, but also ensures the flexibility and mechanical stability of the device. The designed supercapacitor exhibited a capacitance of 213.3 mF cm−2 and demonstrated excellent stability of 92 % retention rate even after 5000 cycles. Moreover, the negative electrode of the supercapacitor also serves as a compatible interface for the TENG, with silicone rubber coating acting as the friction layer, forming a single-electrode structure. This coaxial structure with a compatible interface allows for higher efficiency in charge capture and transfer, doubling the charging efficiency compared to incompatible structures, while also ensuring flexibility, making it more suitable for wearable applications. By weaving the TENG, it exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 150 V, a short-circuit current of 6 μA, and a high power density of 900 mW cm−2. In addition, it can also serve as a self-powered sensor, capable of accurately detecting human motion and current conditions. This research proposes an effective compatible interface architecture promising application prospect for advancing sustainable development of self-powered wearable electronic devices.

Narrow bandgap silver mercury telluride alloy semiconductor nanocrystal for self-powered midwavelength-infrared photodiode

Infrared colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have been of interest due to their low-cost fabrication and facile wavelength tunability for various infrared optoelectronic applications. Recently, the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) quantum dot sensor has been successfully realized by forming a photodiode via a post-chemical treatment method. Controlling the doping density of the quantum dot solid and engineering the device structure require an extremely sophisticated technique, which hinders consistent doping density and restricts further development in understanding the fundamental photophysics and manufacturing process. Here, we report an air-stable and highly reproducible MWIR CQDs photodiode by incorporating synthesized p-doped Ag-HgTe colloidal nanocrystals (NCs). The Ag-HgTe alloy NCs allow clearly defined p-doped QDs layers, leading to uniform dopant distribution and the ease of engineering device fabrication. By optimizing the doping density, we achieved an average noise equivalent temperature difference of below 10 mK at 78 K with the self-powered MWIR photodiode sensor.

Durable and Wearable Self-powered Temperature Sensor Based on Self-healing Thermoelectric Fiber by Coaxial Wet Spinning Strategy for Fire Safety of Firefighting Clothing

Durable and Wearable Self-powered Temperature Sensor Based on Self-healing Thermoelectric Fiber by Coaxial Wet Spinning Strategy for Fire Safety of Firefighting Clothing

Self-Powered Biomimetic Pressure Sensor Based on Mn-Ag Electrochemical Reaction for Monitoring Rehabilitation Training of Athletes.

Self-powered pressure detection using smart wearable devices is the subject of intense research attention, which is intended to address the critical need for prolonged and uninterrupted operations. Current piezoelectric and triboelectric sensors well respond to dynamic stimuli while overlooking static stimuli. This study proposes a dual-response potentiometric pressure sensor that responds to both dynamic and static stimuli. The proposed sensor utilizes interdigital electrodes with MnO2/carbon/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the cathode and conductive silver paste as the anode. The electrolyte layer incorporates a mixed hydrogel of PVA and phosphoric acid. The optimized interdigital electrodes and sandpaper-like microstructured surface of the hydrogel electrolyte contribute to enhanced performance by facilitating an increased contact area between the electrolyte and electrodes. The sensor features an open-circuit voltage of 0.927V, a short-circuit current of 6µA, a higher sensitivity of 14mV/kPa, and outstanding cycling performance (>5000 cycles). It can accurately recognize letter writing and enable capacitor charging and LED lighting. Additionally, a data acquisition and display system employing the proposed sensor, which facilitates the monitoring of athletes' rehabilitation training, and machine learning algorithms that effectively guide rehabilitation actions are presented. This study offers novel solutions for the future development of smart wearable devices.

Acid- and alkali-resistant, UV-shielding, and photocatalytic self-cleaning nanofiber membrane-based wearable triboelectric nanogenerator for ultra-low-frequency energy-harvesting and self-powered sensors

Wearable single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), known for their simple design and construction, have attracted significant attentions for their applications in self-powered sensing and human energy harvesting. Herein, fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) as the matrix, TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles modified with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) as functional materials, PVDF-HFP/TiO2/ZnO (PTZ) nanofiber membranes, serving as the friction and encapsulation layers for TENG, were prepared by electrospinning. Phytic acid-doped polyaniline (PANI), serving as the electrode layer for TENG, was prepared by in-situ polymerization. The results showed that the frequency of 0.51 Hz, and the thickness of 125 μm, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Isc) of the PTZ-based TENG reached the highest value of 255 V and − 640–615nA, respectively, when using polyoxymethylene (POM) nanofiber membrane as positive material. Moreover, PTZ-based TENG had demonstrated excellent properties, such as the acid- and alkali-resistant, photocatalytic self-cleaning, and UV-shielding, shown the potential for use in extreme environment. Meanwhile, PTZ-based TENG had vividly demonstrated the hydrophobicity, flame retardancy, flexibility, conductive durability, breathability and moisture permeability. The PTZ-based TENG, as a self-powered electricity source, can not only instantly light up 35 LEDs but also charge electronic watch and calculator. Moreover, it can also serve as a sensor switch, integrated into the surface of a lab coat, where it can be lightly touched to activate an alarm system in case of danger. Interestingly, the PTZ-based TENG is also expected to serve as a kind of electrostatic-induction switch, turning light bulbs on or off without direct contact.

Electrospun PAN/BaTiO3/MXene nanofibrous membrane with significantly improved piezoelectric property for self-powered wearable sensor

The power supply system is an important part of modern electronic equipment. Traditional batteries have disadvantages such as large volume and poor flexibility. Nanogenerators possess characteristics such as miniaturization, sustainable power supply, and independence from external energy sources. In this work, a piezo-triboelectric hybridized nanogenerator is developed. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) and MXene (Ti3C2) are incorporated into the electrospinning process of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), resulting in an electrospun PAN/BaTiO3/MXene nanofibrous membrane with significantly enhanced piezoelectric properties in comparison with the pure PAN fibrous membrane. Meanwhile, the electronegative properties of the PAN/BaTiO3/MXene nanofibrous membrane are augmented as the negative layer during contact and separation friction. The piezoelectric output voltage of the PAN/BaTiO3/MXene nanofibrous membrane reaches up to 6.4 V. When a nickel-copper conductive fabric is used as the positive layer, the piezo-triboelectric hybridized nanogenerator produces an output voltage of 11.3 V, an output current of 300nA, and a maximum output power density of 3.4 mW·m−2 over a contact-separation area of only 2 × 2 cm2. In addition, given that MXene itself exhibits excellent photothermal conversion ability, the PAN/BaTiO3/MXene nanofibrous membrane can be quickly heated up to about 54℃ under near-infrared irradiation at a power of 0.8 W·cm−2, highlighting its potential in photothermal-therapy applications.

Research on Vibration Accumulation Self-Powered Downhole Sensor Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerators.

In drilling operations, measuring vibration parameters is crucial for enhancing drilling efficiency and ensuring safety. Nevertheless, the conventional vibration measurement sensor significantly extends the drilling cycle due to its dependence on an external power source. Therefore, we propose a vibration-accumulation-type self-powered sensor in this research, aiming to address these needs. By leveraging vibration accumulation and electromagnetic power generation to accelerate charging, the sensor's output performance is enhanced through a complementary charging mode. The experimental results regarding sensing performance demonstrate that the sensor possesses a measurement range spanning from 0 to 11 Hz, with a linearity of 3.2% and a sensitivity of 1.032. Additionally, it exhibits a maximum average measurement error of less than 4%. The experimental results of output performance measurement indicate that the sensor unit and generator set exhibit a maximum output power of 0.258 μW and 25.5 mW, respectively, and eight LED lights can be lit at the same time. When the sensor unit and power generation unit output together, the maximum output power of the sensor is also 25.5 mW. Furthermore, we conducted tests on the sensor's output signal in conditions of high temperature and humidity, confirming its continued functionality in such environments. This sensor not only achieves self-powered sensing capabilities, addressing the power supply challenges faced by traditional downhole sensors, but also integrates energy accumulation with electromagnetic power generation to enhance its output performance. This innovation enables the sensor to harness downhole vibration energy for powering other micro-power devices, showcasing promising application prospects.

Dual-photoelectrode photocatalytic fuel cell-assisted self-powered biosensor: An ingenious and sensitive strategy for p53 gene detection

Self-powered sensors have the advantages of no external power supply, energy conversion in the environment and easy miniaturization, making it an attractive choice for building implantable, wearable and portable devices. However, it is difficult to sensitively detect low abundance targets owing to their poor output performance and interference from complicated settings. Herein, a new photocatalytic fuel cell-based self-powered electrochemical biosensor (PFC-SPEB) was proposed for the detection of p53 gene by combining high photocatalytic performance In2S3 and CuInS2 with magnetic nanobeads-assisted signal amplification strategy. In2S3 photoanode and CuInS2 photocathode were combined to form a dual photoelectrode system with an open-circuit potential up to 705.9 mV, which improved the photoelectric conversion efficiency by 1.4–6.9 folds compared with that of single photoelectrode system. Furthermore, the enzyme-assisted signal amplification strategy made a small number of p53 genes trigger the creation of abundant double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Finally, manganese porphyrin was inserted into dsDNA to stimulate precipitation reactions on surfaces of the photoanode, leading to a sharp drop of signal. The constructed PFC-SPEB exhibited a wide linear detection range from 10 fM to 10 nM with a low detection limit of 1.40 fM, providing new creative inspiration for constructing SPEB for bioanalysis and clinical diagnostics.

Hybrid triboelectric-piezoelectric nanogenerator for long-term load monitoring in total knee replacements

A self-powered and durable pressure sensor for large-scale pressure detection on the knee implant would be highly advantageous for designing long-lasting and reliable knee implants as well as obtaining information about knee function after the operation. The purpose of this study is to develop a robust energy harvester that can convert wide ranges of pressure to electricity to power a load sensor inside the knee implant. To efficiently convert loads to electricity, we design a cuboid-array-structured tribo-pizoelectric nanogenerator (TPENG) in vertical contact mode inside a knee implant package. The proposed TPENG is fabricated with aluminum and cuboid-patterned silicone rubber layers. Using the cuboid-patterned silicone rubber as a dielectric and aluminum as electrodes improves performance compared with previously reported self-powered sensors. The combination of 10 wt% dopamine-modified BaTiO3 piezoelectric nanoparticles in the silicone rubber enhanced electrical stability and mechanical durability of the silicone rubber. To examine the output, the package-harvester assemblies are loaded into an MTS machine under different periodic loading. Under different cyclic loading, frequencies, and resistance loads, the harvester’s output performance is also theoretically studied and experimentally verified. The proposed cuboid-array-structured TPENG integrated into the knee implant package can generate approximately 15 μ W of apparent power under dynamic compressive loading of 2200 N magnitude. In addition, as a result of the TPENG’s materials being effectively optimized, it possesses remarkable mechanical durability and signal stability, functioning after more than 30 000 cycles under 2200 N load and producing about 300 V peak to peak. We have also presented a mathematical model and numerical results that closely capture experimental results. We have reported how the TPENG charge density varies with force. This study represents a significant advancement in a better understanding of harvesting mechanical energy for instrumented knee implants to detect a load imbalance or abnormal gait patterns.

Temperature sensing and energy harvesting with A MEMS parametric coupling device under low frequency vibrations

The frequency-based self-powered sensor has an important place in the era of the Internet of Things. In existing reports, the resonator is used either as an energy harvester or a sensor, yet it cannot undertake both demands simultaneously in a single structure. A parametric coupling device (abbreviated as PCD), capable of both temperature sensing and energy harvesting, is proposed with a common wings-inspired structure. Under one low frequency vibration excitation, the vibration energy can be potentially converted to electric energy, while the output frequency is observed to have a linear relationship with the temperature. The wings-inspired structure is comprised of three parts bonded in series, two side beams for collecting vibration energy one of them synchronously for temperature sensing, and a middle flexible beam for achieving parametric coupling. Once the heat is applied to the sensing one, the internal thermal stress is generated in the beam, while the reaction force acts on the anchor end of the beam to create compressive stress, for which the stiffness is decreased to cause frequency shifts and turn the working frequency domain. The parametric coupling is designed to improve the PCD performance, which is supported by theoretical analysis and experimental verification. With a manufactured MEMS PCD prototype, under a harmonic vibration excitation, when the temperature varies from 35.85 °C to 48.35 °C, both frequency shifts for sensing and working frequency domain for harvesting are 13.7 Hz which is 3.5 times larger than those of a non-parametric coupling device (abbreviated as NPCD). The sensing sensitivity of PCD is measured as 2.91 times higher than that of NPCD under a harmonic vibration excitation, while that of PCD is analyzed as 1.69 times higher than that of NPCD under a random one. Theoretical analysis shows the maximum temperature detection range is from 33.32 °C to 84.07 °C and can be further enlarged from 33.32 °C to 108.54 °C by adjusting the length of the sensing beam. The proposed PCD has the potential to be applied to temperature compensation systems or to maintain the operating environments of sensing nodes in self-powered wireless sensing networks (WSN).

Multi-pillar piezoelectric stack harvests ocean wave energy with oscillating float buoy

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting (PEH) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional batteries for self-powered sensors. This paper proposed a multi-pillar piezoelectric stacks oscillating float wave energy harvesting device that utilizes a unique rack, pinion, and cam system to convert the heaving motion of the float into a unidirectional rotation. Subsequently, the cam actuates a linkage rod, driving multiple piezoelectric stack pillars to generate electrical energy. The innovative cam mechanism introduces frequency upconversion to improve the efficiency of power generation in conjunction with piezoelectricity. A theoretical methodology is also derived and validated with simulation and experimental model tests to characterize the output power. The results demonstrate that the system attains a peak output voltage of 32 V and a power output of 3.5 mW when utilizing 10 piezoelectric translation units connected in parallel. This achievement is facilitated by the oceanic force generated by wave motion, which exerts a force of 500 N over a wave period of 3 s. The sustainable energy solutions are developed for remote sensor applications in marine environments, offering potential advancements in the field of autonomous and self-powered sensing systems.

X-ray Induced Electric Currents in Anodized Ta2O5: Towards a Large-Area Thin-Film Sensor.

We investigated the characteristics of radiation-induced current in nano-porous pellet and thin-film anodized tantalum exposed to kVp X-ray beams. We aim at developing a large area (≫cm2) thin-film radiation sensor for medical, national security and space applications. Large area (few cm2) micro-thin Ta foils were anodized and coated with a counter electrode made of conductive polymer. In addition, several types of commercial electrolytic porous tantalum capacitors were assembled and prepared for irradiation with kVp X-rays. We measured dark current (leakage) as well as transient radiation-induced currents as a function of external voltage bias. Large transient currents (up to 50 nA) under X-ray irradiation (dose rate of about 3 cGy/s) were measured in Ta2O5 capacitors. Small nano-porous Ta and large-area flat Ta foil capacitors show similar current-voltage characteristic curve after accounting for different X-ray attenuation in capacitor geometry. The signal is larger for thicker capacitor oxide. A non-negligible signal for null external voltage bias is observed, which is explained by fast electron production in Ta foils. Anodized tantalum is a promising material for use in large-area, self-powered radiation sensors for X-ray detection and for energy harvesting.

On-Demand MXene-Coupled Pyroelectricity for Advanced Breathing Sensors and IR Data Receivers.

MXene-inspired two-dimensional (2D) materials like Ti3C2Tx are widely known for their versatile properties, including surface plasmon, higher electrical conductivity, exceptional in-plane tensile strength, EMI shielding, and IR thermal properties. The MXene nanosheets coupled poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers with d33 ∼-26 pm V-1 are able to capture the smaller thermal fluctuation due to a superior pyroelectric coefficient of ∼130 nC m-2 K-1 with an improved (∼7 times with respect to neat PVDF nanofibers) pyroelectric current figure of merit (FOMi). The significant enhancement of the pyroelectric response is attributed to the confinement effect of 2D MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets within PVDF nanofibers, as evidenced from polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). In subsequent studies, the practical applications of self-powered pyroelectric sensors of MXene-PVDF have been demonstrated. The fabricated flexible, hydrophobic pyroelectric sensor could be utilized as an excellent pyroelectric breathing sensor, a proximity sensor, and an IR data transmission receiver. Further, supervised machine learning algorithms are proposed to distinguish different types of breathing signals with ∼98% accuracy for healthcare monitoring purposes.