Cu/PTFE triboelectric nanogenerator for Morse code and array information detection

Abstract The application of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for collecting and converting waste energy into usable electrical energy has been widely reported. However, their practical application in real-time, self-powered communication systems, particularly for robust information transmission, remains underexplored. To achieve stable self-energy supply information transmission, this study presents a lightweight and flexible single-electrode TENG sensor based on a copper (Cu) foil and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite. We systematically studied the stability of the device and found that it could maintain an output voltage of approximately 9 V after being stored at room temperature for 1 month. We also evaluated its power generation capacity, which was demonstrated by successfully lighting up to seven LEDs simultaneously. Additionally, we utilized its unique voltage signal to transmit Morse code and successfully sent the messages “SOS” and “HELLO” over a long distance. Furthermore, a 2 × 2 TENG array was fabricated and tested, confirming excellent channel independence with minimal crosstalk during simultaneous or selective activation. This work demonstrates that the Cu/PTFE TENG sensor is not only a stable energy harvester but also a viable platform for self-powered communication and distributed sensing and holds promise in applications integrating flexible electronics and the Internet of things.