Templatesec-Built Structural Designs for Piezoelectrochemical Pressure Sensors

Self-powered sensors, capable of detecting static and dynamic pressure without an external power source, are pivotal for advancements in human–computer interaction, health monitoring, and artificial intelligence. Current sensing technologies, however, often fall short of meeting the growing needs for precise and timely pressure monitoring. This article introduces a novel self-powered pressure sensor utilizing electrochemical reactions. The sensor's ion conduction path and internal resistance adjust in response to external stress across a broad range. Its three-dimensional structure, crafted by using a simple template on the electrolyte, enables the efficient and cost-effective detection of various mechanical stimuli. This device not only achieves an optimized power density of approximately 2.34 mW cm–2─surpassing most existing technologies─but also features excellent flexibility, quick response, and recovery times (0.15 and 0.19 s respectively); high durability (2000 cycles); and a broad sensing range (0.23–20 kPa). Moreover, it serves as an ionic touchpad, enhancing data collection and recognition, and integrates seamlessly with a mouthpiece for accurate, real-time monitoring of respiratory activities. This innovative sensor offers minimal cost and simple process requirements while providing multifunctional capabilities for energy harvesting and pressure sensing, marking a significant step forward in the design of next-generation sensors.