High-efficiency super-elastic liquid metal based triboelectric fibers and textiles

Chaoqun Dong, Andreas Leber, Tapajyoti Das Gupta, Rajasundar Chandran, Marco Volpi, Yunpeng Qu, Tung Nguyen-Dang, Nicola Bartolomei, Wei Yan and Fabien Sorin ()
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Chaoqun Dong: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Andreas Leber: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Tapajyoti Das Gupta: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Rajasundar Chandran: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Marco Volpi: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Yunpeng Qu: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Tung Nguyen-Dang: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Nicola Bartolomei: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Wei Yan: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Fabien Sorin: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Fibers that harvest mechanical energy via the triboelectric effect are excellent candidates as power sources for wearable electronics and functional textiles. Thus far however, their fabrication remains complex, and exhibited performances are below the state-of-the-art of 2D planar configurations, making them impractical. Here, we demonstrate the scalable fabrication of micro-structured stretchable triboelectric fibers with efficiencies on par with planar systems. We use the thermal drawing process to fabricate advanced elastomer fibers that combine a micro-textured surface with the integration of several liquid metal electrodes. Such fibers exhibit high electrical outputs regardless of repeated large deformations, and can sustain strains up to 560%. They can also be woven into deformable machine-washable textiles with high electrical outputs up to 490 V, 175 nC. In addition to energy harvesting, we demonstrate self-powered breathing monitoring and gesture sensing capabilities, making this triboelectric fiber platform an exciting avenue for multi-functional wearable systems and smart textiles.

Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17345-8

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