A self-powered and concealed sensor based on triboelectric nanogenerators for cultural-relic anti-theft systems

The theft prevention for cultural relics in museums, field excavation sites, and temporary exhibition events is of extreme importance. However, traditional anti-theft technologies such as infrared monitoring and radio frequency identification are highly costly, power-consuming, and easy to break. Here, a transparent, ultrathin, and flexible triboelectric sensor (TUFS) with a simple and low-cost method is proposed. With a thickness, weight, and transmittance of 92 µm, 0.12 g, and 89.4%, the TUFS manifests superb concealment. Benefiting from the characteristic of triboelectric nanogenerators, the TUFS responds effectively to common cultural-relic materials. Moreover, distinguished electrical responses can be obtained even for very small weights (10 g) and areas (1 cm²), proving the sensitivity and wide range of use of the TUFS. Finally, we construct a concealed cultural-relic anti-theft system that enables real-time alarming and accurate positioning of cultural relics, which is expected to strengthen the security level of the existing museum anti-theft systems. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].