Trampoline inspired stretchable triboelectric nanogenerators as tactile sensors for epidermal electronics

Recent advances in flexible electronics have brought great promotions to the next generation of wearable devices, like electronic skin (E-skin). Nevertheless, the powering issue still limits the size, weight and cost for E-skin. Here, trampoline inspired mechanics design and processing techniques in epidermal electronics are combined together to develop a thin, soft, stretchable self-powered tactile sensors based on triboelectric effect for E-skin. With the assistance of microstructure modifying by sandpapers, the TENG sensor exhibits great improved electrical performance and capable of distinguishing a broad range of pressure, with a great sensitivity of 0.367 mV Pa⁻¹. The resulted TENG sensor exhibits excellent stretchability and sensing stability with accurate unchanged signal outputs even under a high-level strain up to 35%. Demonstrations of the sensors associating with the integration with a glove for human-machine interfaces and the development of a 4 × 4 tactile array for pressure mapping and recognition of contact objects, offers great opportunity for next generation self-powered E-skin.