Fingerprint-shaped triboelectric tactile sensor

Tactile perception sensing, which could endow artificial devices with human-like abilities, is indispensable for new generation intelligent prosthetic. However, the development of flexible tactile sensors with multifunctional capabilities and low power consumption that remains an on-going challenge. Here, we purpose a flexible fingerprint-shaped triboelectric tactile sensor (FTTS) using eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) liquid metal and silicone. Based on the principle of triboelectric nanogenerator, the fabricated FTTS is composed of three independent fingerprint-like channels for liquid metal filling, with contact separation and stretching working modes to accommodate different application scenarios. Due to the flexible multi fingerprint-shaped channel design and the principle of triboelectricity, the FTTS has a fast response speed of 1.01 ms, and lower detection limit, which could stretch up to 225%. The fabricated FTTS is capable of pressure intensity and position detection, password simulation, material identification and pulse monitoring. In addition, this active sensor could realize zero power consumption of the sensing part without external power supply needed. The tactile perception and simulation technology based on this triboelectric sensing will definitely show broad prospects in the fields of intelligent prosthetics, medical rehabilitation and human-computer interaction.