Templates-Built Structural Designs for Piezoelectrochemical Pressure Sensors

Self-powered sensors, capable of detecting static and dynamic pressure without an external power source, are pivotal for advancements in human-computer interaction, health monitoring, and artificial intelligence. Current sensing technologies, however, often fall short of meeting the growing needs for precise and timely pressure monitoring. This article introduces a novel self-powered pressure sensor utilizing electrochemical reactions. The sensor’s ion conduction path and internal resistance adjust in response to external stress across a broad range. Its three-dimensional structure, crafted by using a simple template on the electrolyte, enables the efficient and cost-effective detection of various mechanical stimuli. This device not only achieves an optimized power density of approximately 2.34 mW cm^-2─surpassing most existing technologies─but also features excellent flexibility, quick response, and recovery times (0.15 and 0.19 s respectively); high durability (2000 cycles); and a broad sensing range (0.23-20 kPa). Moreover, it serves as an ionic touchpad, enhancing data collection and recognition, and integrates seamlessly with a mouthpiece for accurate, real-time monitoring of respiratory activities. This innovative sensor offers minimal cost and simple process requirements while providing multifunctional capabilities for energy harvesting and pressure sensing, marking a significant step forward in the design of next-generation sensors.