A self-powered electronic-skin for real-time perspiration analysis and application in motion state monitoring

Abstract

A new self-powered electronic-skin (e-skin) for real-time perspiration analysis has been fabricated from a polyaniline (PANI) triboelectric-biosensing unit matrix, which can also work as a self-powered visualization system for preventing exercise injury (dehydration). The biosensing units on the e-skin can be driven by body motion through efficiently converting mechanical energy into triboelectric current. After surface modification with enzymes and a drop-cast chitosan film, the triboelectric output of the biosensing units can be influenced by the target biomarkers, acting as a biosensing signal. This new triboelectrification/enzymatic-reaction coupling effect has been demonstrated in different biosensing units that can detect the urea, uric acid, lactate, glucose, Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration in perspiration without any external electricity power. The e-skin can be linked to a visualization panel, and the input triboelectric current can show the motion state of the human body during exercise. This work can provoke a new research direction for developing wearable healthcare diagnosis systems and self-powered visualization systems. This new technique could also reduce medical expenses and facilitate application in low-income regions.