An Ultra‐Shapeable, Smart Sensing Platform Based on a Multimodal Ferrofluid‐Infused Surface

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 31; no. 11; pp. e1807201 - n/a
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Abdelsalam, Hassan, Islam, Mosa, Islam M., Elsanadidy, Esraa, Sharafeldin, Mohamed, Rusling, James F., Ren, Shenqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2019; Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
• Subjects: adjustable sensors; Deformation; Detection; Elastomers; Electric power generation; Ferrofluids; Formability; hazard avoidance; magnetoactive fluids; Materials science; multifunctional sensors; multimodal sensors; Nanogenerators; Remote monitoring; sensing platforms; Sensors; Stretchability; Structural integrity; Twisting; wearable sensors; hazard avoidance; sensing platforms; adjustable sensors; multifunctional sensors; multimodal sensors; wearable sensors; magnetoactive fluids
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201807201

The development of wearable, all‐in‐one sensors that can simultaneously monitor several hazard conditions in a real‐time fashion imposes the emergent requirement for a smart and stretchable hazard avoidance sensing platform that is stretchable and skin‐like. Multifunctional sensors with these features are problematic and challenging to accomplish. In this context, a multimodal ferrofluid‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (FO‐TENG), featuring sensing capabilities to a variety of hazard stimulus such as a strong magnetic field, noise level, and falling or drowning is reported. The FO‐TENG consists of a deformable elastomer tube filled with a ferrofluid, as a triboelectric layer, surrounded by a patterned copper wire, as an electrode, endowing the FO‐TENG with excellent waterproof ability, conformability, and stretchability (up to 300%). In addition, The FO‐TENG is highly flexible and sustains structural integrity and detection capability under repetitive deformations, including bending and twisting. This FO‐TENG represents a smart multifaceted sensing platform that has a unique capacity in diverse applications including hazard preventive wearables, and remote healthcare monitoring. An ultra‐shapeable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) unit with ferrofluid contained in a polymer cover, which can effectively sense multiple stimuli to monitor different hazard stimuli such as acoustic waves, magnetic field, and the impact force, is reported. This approach provides a new prospect for multifunctional self‐powered sensors and has important applications in hazard preventive wearables, and remote healthcare monitoring.