Integrated All-Fiber Electronic Skin toward Self-Powered Sensing Sports Systems

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2021 Oct 27;13(42):50329-50337. doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c13420. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Abstract

The development of wearable electronic skins (E-skins) requires devices with high flexibility, breathability, and antibacterial activity, as in sports sensing technology. Here, we report a flexible, breathable, and antibacterial triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)-based E-skin for self-powered sensing in volleyball reception statistics and analytics, which is fabricated by sandwiching a silver nanowire (Ag NW) electrode between a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sensing layer and a poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/CS) substrate. Benefiting from an outstanding breathability of 10.32 kg m-2 day-1 and biocidal properties of CS and Ag NW, the E-skin offers excellent thermal-moisture comfort and a remarkable antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A pressure sensitivity of 0.3086 V kPa-1 is demonstrated in the sensing range of 6.65-19.21 kPa. Besides, a volleyball reception statistical and analytical system is further developed based on a 2 × 3 E-skin array. According to this work, the integration of wearable electronic devices with self-powered sensors may expand practical applications in sports.

Keywords: electronic skin; electrospinning technique; sandwich structure; self-powered sensing sports system; triboelectric nanogenerator; wearable electronics.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Electrodes
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / pharmacology*
  • Silver / chemistry
  • Silver / pharmacology*
  • Sports*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Polymers
  • Silver