Soft triboelectric generators by use of cost-effective elastomers and simple casting process

We are reporting a new approach of developing of soft triboelectric devices with improved conformability and scalability. Here, elastomers, namely, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), were used as triboelectric layers, and their carbon based conductive elastomeric composites were implemented as electrodes since they offer greater softness and flexibility. Elastomers can also be coupled with the textile. Simple film casting technique, that provides fast and readily scalable route, was used to prepare low-cost multilayer structures. The technology was tested by preparing vertical-contact separation based triboelectric shoe-insole and stretchable triboelectric band. These examples were tested at low frequencies and at different load resistors for different gestures. The shoe-insole generated optimum rms power (Prms) of 0.28 m W for load resistance (RL) of 150 M Ω for walking and 1.79 m W for the RL of 110 M Ω for running, respectively. Stretchable band, which can be applied on different body joints, was tested for the arm stretching motion that delivers the optimum Prms of 9 μ W for the RL of 400 M Ω.