3D arch-structured and machine-knitted triboelectric fabrics as self-powered strain sensors of smart textiles

Fabric-based sensors with stable outputs, desirable comfort and industrial preparation are essential for smart textiles in physiological monitoring and human-machine interaction (HMI). Here, a three-dimensional arch-structured triboelectric fabric (3D AS-TEF) is prepared through a weft inlay stitch technique, serving as a self-powered and wearable strain senor for tiny movements monitoring and sign-to-speech translation. Due to the unique 3D arch structure, the triboelectric fabric (TEF) demonstrates excellent comfortability (i.e., thin thickness, flexibility, and air permeability). Additionally, the anchored structure between the arch and the substrate endows the TEF with stable output performances under long-term mechanical deformations (i.e., folding, twisting, washing, and stretching) or under humid and perspiration conditions. Then, a self-powered strain sensing system and a sign-to-speech translation system is developed by taking advantages of the sensitive and stable output performances of the 3D AS-TEF for daily sign language communications. We envision that this work would provide insights into developing smart textiles electronics with durable performances and mass-production capability.