Wearable patterned single electrode-based triboelectric nanogenerator for peak-encoded interface

Advancement in human-machine interface (HMI) is indispensable for development of virtual/augmented reality, robotics control, and artificial intelligence (AI). However, there lack a simple facile electronics to achieve accurate finger motion recognition and remote robot control through simple signal processing. Herein, a wearable patterned single electrode-based triboelectric nanogenerator (PS-TENG) based on regenerated silk film (rSF) is developed for peak-encoded interface, which can accurately identify the handwritten numbers or letters. The patterned single electrode, composed of nine units with five different patterns, is successfully constructed by inkjet printing Ag inks on the rSF. When handwriting on the PS-TENG, the generated output voltage with different peak amplitude can be transformed into a peak spectrum with spatial information. Handwriting numbers or letters can be accurately identified through simple digitization data processing of the peak-encoded spectrum without complex algorithms. Furthermore, the PS-TENG as peak-encoded interface enables precise game play, accurate pattern lock, and wireless robot control. Importantly, based on relative amplitude of output signals, the peak-encoded code is regardless of factors including absolute amplitude of output signals, sliding speed and environmental humidity. Consequently, the PS-TENG, characterized by self-powered feature, simple structure and straightforward signal processing, demonstrates remarkable identification accuracy of handwritten numbers and letters through decoding unique and stable peak spectrum, which would have great potential in the field of virtual control panels, HMI and AI.