Intrinsic static/dynamic triboelectric pressure sensor for continuous and event-triggered control

TL;DR

This paper introduces an intrinsic triboelectric pressure sensor capable of simultaneously detecting static and dynamic pressures with high sensitivity, enabling advanced human-machine interaction such as robotic control and sign language communication.

Contribution

The development of an intrinsic static/dynamic triboelectric sensor with a novel charge excitation strategy and multi-region sensitivity, improving static and dynamic pressure detection capabilities.

Findings

Enhanced voltage output: 25X in static, 15X in dynamic modes.

Detection limit as low as 6.13 Pa.

Achieved multi-region sensitivities of 34.7 V/kPa (static) and 48.4 V/kPa (dynamic).

Abstract

Conventional pressure sensors often integrate two distinct mechanisms to detect static and dynamic stimuli, hindering the development of high fidelity human-machine interfaces. Here, we present an intrinsic static/dynamic triboelectric sensor (iSD Sensor) capable of reliably perceiving both continuous static pressure and transient mechanical shocks through a DC/AC signal decoupling strategy. By pairing hydrophobic expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with elastic conductive sponge, a pressure-adaptive triboelectric interface is formed, where microscale and large-scale separations enable static and dynamic pressure sensing, respectively. Furthermore, by employing a charge excitation strategy, the device delivers enhanced voltage outputs over 25X in static and 15X in dynamic modes. Combined with a 3D gradient conductive sponge structure, the sensor achieves multi-region sensitivities of 34.7 V/kPa (static) and 48.4 V/kPa (dynamic) under low pressure (less than 1.8 kPa), and a detection limit as low as 6.13 Pa. By perceiving continuous static pressure and transient shocks applied by the human hand, the iSD Sensor enables robotic arm control via proportional grasping and dynamic, trigger-based sign language communication. This work advances high-sensitivity, self-powered pressure sensors toward intelligent, closed-loop human-machine interaction.