Machine-Washable and Breathable Pressure Sensors Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerators Enabled by Textile Technologies

Abstract Utilization of textile’s triboelectric effect to realize the perception of pressure is of great interest to for self-powered wearable electronics that integrate s seamlessly with smart fabrics. However, the challenges associated with the rational material s /device designs based on conventional textile structures and the lack of understanding of the mechanical circumstances experienced by the textile devices hamper ed the further advancement of this technology. Here, textile pressure sensors based on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with machine washability and excellent breathability are manufactured by using machines to interlace interlacing robust Cu-coated polyacrylonitrile (Cu-PAN) yarns and parylene-coated Cu-PAN (parylene-Cu-PAN) yarns with machines via multiple textile industry compatible technologies for the first time, simultaneously achieving devices with stitched ing- , woven weaving- , and knitted structures ing-structured devices, simultaneously . TENG-based pressure sensors with different textile structures are investigated under the status of as-fabricated conditions and after machine washing, and proposing a relation is proposed between textile structure and the key characteristics of the sensors. The M material s /device designs, mechanical circumstances, manufacturing methods, etc., will affect obtained sensors ’ the sensitivity, linearity, saturated saturation trend and washability of the obtained sensors. Finally, a smart textile glove with stitched pressure sensors is made to demonstrate grip posture detection in various circumstances.