Mechano-intelligent Auxetic Triboelectric Textiles for Enhanced Energy Harvesting and AI-Driven Gesture Recognition

Abstract

The advancement of wearable electronics, especially smart clothing, is limited by the rigidity and bulkiness of conventional power sources, highlighting the need for sustainable energy solutions. Textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators (T-TENGs) offer a promising approach for harvesting biomechanical energy and enabling self-powered sensing. However, traditional planar or simple 3D T-TENG structures often struggle to adapt efficiently to complex human motions, resulting in reduced electrical output and stability. In this study, we present a mechano-intelligent auxetic triboelectric textile (MIA-TENG) that integrates auxetic structures into the fabric to actively enhance contact and separation dynamics at the triboelectric interface. The MIA-TENG, fabricated from a composite of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and nylon fabric, leverages the negative Poisson’s ratio effect of auxetic structures to enhance output performance with wearing comfort. Experimental results show that the MIA-TENG achieves a peak power output of 3610 mW m⁻² and maintains excellent durability and washability, with a stable performance after 10 washing cycles and 60,000 mechanical tests. The device can power portable electronics and is suitable for both large-joint protection and high-fidelity gesture sensing. Combined with machine learning algorithms, the system enables accurate gesture recognition, offering an integrated platform for advanced applications in motion capture, health monitoring, and smart sports.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Mechano-intelligent textile / Auxetic structure / Energy harvesting / Self-powered sensing / Gesture recognition / Machine learning

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Funding

Hong Kong Polytechnic University(1-BBH6)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)