Nanomaterials (May 2019)

A Motion-Balanced Sensor Based on the Triboelectricity of Nano-Iron Suspension and Flexible Polymer

  • Zhihua Wang,
  • Songyi Yang,
  • Shuang Miao,
  • Qiongfeng Shi,
  • Tianyiyi He,
  • Chengkuo Lee

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9050690
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 5
p. 690

Abstract

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With the development of the Internet of Things and information technology, a large number of inexpensive sensors are needed to monitor the state of the object. A wide variety of sensors with a low cost can be made using the difference in charge attractiveness between flexible polymers and other materials. Compared to the two solid materials, a sensor made of a solid polymer-liquid has a large contact area and low friction. A motion-balanced sensor is presented based on the polytetrafluoroethene pipe and nano-iron suspension. The effect of the concentration and volume of the nano-iron suspension on the output voltage of the sensor is analyzed. The motion-balanced sensor can be used to measure the tilt angle of the object and there is a linear relationship between the output voltage and the tilt angle. A comparison test is performed to a commercial acceleration sensor with PZT-5. The test results show that the frequency characteristics and amplitude characteristics of the motion-balanced sensor are consistent with those of the acceleration sensor. The motion-balanced sensor can be used to determine the state of exercise such as walking, running, etc. The motion-balanced sensor has broad application prospects for monitoring the bridges and power towers balance, stroke patients’ health assessment, etc.

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