Development of a highly transparent and flexible touch sensor based on triboelectric effect

Wearable devices are inevitable in future lifestyles. Sensors, especially touch sensors, are fundamental requisites and key driving forces for related technologies. Moreover, the requirement of standalone operation without an external power supply is increasing in several fields due to a wide range of functionalities. We developed a triboelectric effect-based self-powered touch sensor (TESS) with highly transparent and flexible characteristics. The current film type of a TESS exhibits a high light transmittance of 89% and can function as a sensor on highly curved states. The electrical signals generated from a TESS under various conditions, such as bent/unbent state, material of the counter surface, and attached state to human skin, were analyzed. The TESS can be used to measure the magnitude and exact moment of the contact and detachment of other materials while attached to other substrates. This study could significantly increase the applicability of self-powered touch sensors for flexible electronic devices and related technologies.