One-structure-based multi-effects coupled nanogenerators for flexible and self-powered multi-functional coupled sensor systems

The simultaneous monitoring of multi-physical signals is essential for future sensor systems, but is currently only realized by integrating a variety of sensor types into a single device. However, the ability to use a single sensor structure that shares common electrodes can provide a route to multi-functional sensing while also decreasing device size and increasing spatial resolution. Here we report a ferroelectric barium titanate film-based multi-effect coupled nanogenerator for scavenging light, mechanical, and thermal energies to realize a self-powered multi-functional coupled sensor system without using any external power source. The coupled nanogenerator exhibits a strong coupling enhancement with detection sensitivities of 0.42 nA/(mW/cm²) during illumination by 405 nm light, 1.43 nA/kPa for pressure detection, and −8.85 nA/K for temperature sensing, where both the light and pressure sensing performances have the highest sensitivities during a cooling temperature variation of ~19.5 K and the largest temperature detection sensitivity can be achieved during strong light illumination of 83.2 mW/cm². Moreover, the coupled nanogenerator array can be integrated into flexible forms for tactile pressure, temperature, and light sensors, and enabling coupled sensing for the development of electronic skins.