Abstract Stretchable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent a new class of energy‐harvesting devices for powering wearable devices. However, most of them are associated with poor stretchability, low stability, and limited substrate material choices. This work presents the design and demonstration of highly stretchable and stable TENGs based on liquid metalel ectrodes with different phases. The conductive and fluidic properties of eutectic gallium‐indium (EGaIn) in the serpentine microfluidic channel ensure the robust performance of the EGaIn‐based TENG upon stretching over several hundred percent. The bi‐phasic EGaIn (bGaIn) from oxidation lowers surface tension and increases adhesion for printing on diverse substrates with high output performance parameters. The optimization of the electrode shapes in the bGaIn‐based TENGs can reduce the device footprint and weight, while enhancing stretchability. The applications of the EGaIn‐ and bGaIn‐based TENG include smart elastic bands for human movement monitoring and smart carpets with integrated data transmission/processing modules for headcount monitoring/control. Combining the concept of origami in the paper‐based bGaIn TENG can reduce the device footprint to improve output performance per unit area. The integration of bGaIn‐TENG on a self‐healing polymer substrate with corrosion resistance against acidic and alkaline solutions further facilitates its use in various challenging and extreme environments. 
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                            Energy Harvesting Floor from Commercial Cellulosic Materials for a Self-Powered Wireless Transmission Sensor System
                        
                    
    
            Cellulose-based materials have gained increasing attention for the development of low cost, eco-friendly technologies, and more recently, as functional materials in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, the low output performance of cellulose-based TENGs severely restricts their versatility and employment in emerging smart building and smart city applications. Here, we report a high output performance of a commercial cellulosic material-based energy harvesting floor (CEHF). Benefiting from the significant difference in the triboelectric properties between weighing and nitrocellulose papers, high surface roughness achieved by a newly developed mechanical exfoliation method, and large overall contact area via a multilayered device structure, the CEHF (25 cm × 15 cm × 1.2 cm) exhibits excellent output performance with a maximum output voltage, current, and power peak values of 360 V, 250 μA, and 5 mW, respectively. It can be directly installed or integrated with regular flooring products to effectively convert human body movements into electricity and shows good durability and stability. Moreover, a wireless transmission sensing system that can produce a 1:1 footstep-to-signal (transmitted and received) ratio is instantaneously powered by a TENG based entirely on cellulosic materials for the first time. This work provides a feasible and effective way to utilize commercial cellulosic materials to construct self-powered wireless transmission systems for real-time sensing applications. 
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                            - Award ID(s):
- 1843965
- PAR ID:
- 10228529
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ACS applied materials interfaces
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 1944-8252
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 5133-5141
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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