Transparent flexible nanogenerator as self-powered sensor for transportation monitoring

摘要

A traffic sensor includes a flexible substrate having a top surface. A piezoelectric structure extends from the first electrode layer. The piezoelectric structure has a top end. An insulating layer is infused into the piezoelectric structure. A first electrode layer is disposed on top of the insulating layer. A second electrode layer is disposed below the flexible substrate. A packaging layer is disposed around the substrate, the first electrode layer, the piezoelectric structure, the insulating layer and the second electrode layer. In a method of sensing a traffic parameter, a piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor is applied to a roadway. An electrical event generated by the piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor in response to a vehicle interacting with the piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor is detected. The electrical event is correlated with the traffic parameter.

主权项

1. A traffic sensor, comprising:
(a) a flexible substrate having a top surface; (b) a piezoelectric structure, that includes a dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures, extending from the first electrode layer, the piezoelectric structure having a top end; (c) an insulating layer infused into a portion of the piezoelectric structure at the top end of the piezoelectric structure; (d) a first electrode layer disposed below the flexible substrate; (e) a second electrode layer disposed on top of the insulating layer so that the insulating layer electrically isolates the second electrode layer from the top end of the piezoelectric structure; and (f) a packaging layer disposed around the substrate, the first electrode layer, the piezoelectric structure, the insulating layer and the second electrode layer.