Iran's Sharif University Researchers Produce Transparent, Flexible Electronic Touch Nanoplates
In this research, touch and wearable electronic sensors based on triboelectric nanogenerators were produced that convert the mechanical energy of the environment into electrical energy.
Features like flexibility, light weight, biocompatibility and transparency make energy generators more prominent and practical. In this study, a polymer based on elastic and transparent silicon was used as a charge-generating layer of nanogenerators.
Also, polymer nanocomposites were made in order to improve the triboelectric properties and increase the induced electric charge. The maximum output power density of the flexible nanogenerator was 10.10 W/m2, the voltage was 660 V and the current was 72 microamps from the Si/BaTiO3 polymer composite layer.
The composite was placed on a conductive electrode based on silver nanowires to make a transparent, flexible, self-generating and ultra-light touch panel. The self-generating touch screen had a transparency of 79%, an output electric power density of 27 kilowatts per square meter, and a weight of 8 milligrams per square centimeter. This screen was used as a transparent, elastic, flexible and ultra-light touch on/off switch.
The flexible and transparent touch panels enjoy great potential for different applications, including smart homes and wearable electronic devices.
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) having the advantage of accessible design, less fabrication cost, and high energy efficiency can replace the battery in low-power electronic devices.
TENGs can operate in various working modes such as contact-separation mode, sliding mode, single-electrode mode, and free-standing mode. The design of TENGs with the respective operating modes employed in generating electric power as well as can be utilized as a portable and wearable power source. The fabrication of triboelectric layers with micro-roughness could enhance the triboelectric charge generation.
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