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Tribotronics represents the modulation of friction via an external electric potential, a field with promising ramifications for intelligent devices, precision manufacturing, and biomedical applications. A profound elucidation of mechanisms that allow for potential-controlled friction is foundational to further research in this tribotronic domain. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research progress in electro-controlled friction over the past few decades, approached from the perspective of the boundary lubrication film at the friction interface, a direct influencer of electro-controlled friction performance. The mechanisms of potential-controlled friction are categorized into three distinct classifications, contingent on the formation mode of the boundary lubrication film: potential-induced interfacial redox reactions, interfacial physical adsorption, and interfacial phase structure transformations. Furthermore, an outlook on the application prospects of electro-controlled friction is provided. Finally, several research directions worth exploring in the field of electro-controlled friction are proposed. The authors hope that this article will further promote the application of electro-controlled friction technology in engineering and provide intellectual inspiration for related researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to highly desired requirements in advanced disease diagnosis, therapy, and health monitoring, noncontact mechanosensation active matrix has drawn considerable attention. To satisfy the practical demands of high energy efficiency, in this report, combining the advantage of multiparameter monitoring, high sensitivity, and high resolution of active matrix field-effect transistor (FET) with triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), we successfully developed the tribotronic mechanosensation active matrix based on tribotronic ion gel graphene scrolls field-effect transistors (GSFET). The tribopotential produced by TENG served as a gate voltage to modulate carrier transport along the semiconductor channel and realized self-powered ability with considerable decreased energy consumption. To achieve high spatial utilization and more pronounced responsivity of the dielectric of this transistor, ion gel was used to act as a triboelectric layer to conduct friction and contact electrification with external materials directly to produce triboelectric charges to power GFET. This tribopotential-driving device has excellent tactile sensing properties with high sensitivity (1.125 mm−1), rapid response time (~16 ms), and a durability operation of thousands of cycles. Furthermore, the device was transparent and flexible with the capability of spatially mapping touch stimuli and monitoring real-time temperature. Due to all these unique characteristics, this novel noncontact mechanosensation GSFET active matrix provided a new method for self-powered E-skin with promising potential for self-powered wearable devices and intelligent robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are transforming energy harvesting by cleverly combining them with other energy sources. Hybrid triboelectric nanogenerators offer a promising approach to enhance power generation by effectively harnessing multiple energy sources. This review provides an overview of the different hybrid TENGs, emphasizing their ability to integrate various energy harvesting mechanisms, such as piezoelectricity, electromagnetic induction, pyroelectric, and photovoltaics, with the materials choice, concept of design, and mode of operation. By incorporating various energy sources, these nanogenerators can function in a wide range of environments, efficiently capturing energy from multiple available sources. This integration enhances their dependability and self-sufficiency. Through the synergistic combination of multiple energy sources, hybrid TENGs demonstrate enhanced power generation capabilities when compared to single-source counterparts. Apart from that, coupling the field of electronics and photonics with the TENG gives new direction and possibilities. The application of the different hybrid nanogenerators was detailed. Furthermore, the review discusses the challenges and potential future advancements in optimizing the efficiency of power generation, scalability, and integration of hybrid TENGs. [Display omitted] • The article contains a comprehensive overview of hybrid energy harvesters based on triboelectric nanogenerators. • The review offers a well-organized classification of different hybridization types. • The article delves into the details of working principles, material choice, and structural designs of various hybrid devices. • The article explores potential applications, existing challenges, and future aspects of hybrid triboelectric nanogenerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribotronics represents the modulation of friction via an external electric potential, a field with promising ramifications for intelligent devices, precision manufacturing, and biomedical applications. A profound elucidation of mechanisms that allow for potential-controlled friction is foundational to further research in this tribotronic domain. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research progress in electro-controlled friction over the past few decades, approached from the perspective of the boundary lubrication film at the friction interface, a direct influencer of electro-controlled friction performance. The mechanisms of potential-controlled friction are categorized into three distinct classifications, contingent on the formation mode of the boundary lubrication film: potential-induced interfacial redox reactions, interfacial physical adsorption, and interfacial phase structure transformations. Furthermore, an outlook on the application prospects of electro-controlled friction is provided. Finally, several research directions worth exploring in the field of electro-controlled friction are proposed. The authors hope that this article will further promote the application of electro-controlled friction technology in engineering and provide intellectual inspiration for related researchers.

Owing to highly desired requirements in advanced disease diagnosis, therapy, and health monitoring, noncontact mechanosensation active matrix has drawn considerable attention. To satisfy the practical demands of high energy efficiency, in this report, combining the advantage of multiparameter monitoring, high sensitivity, and high resolution of active matrix field-effect transistor (FET) with triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), we successfully developed the tribotronic mechanosensation active matrix based on tribotronic ion gel graphene scrolls field-effect transistors (GSFET). The tribopotential produced by TENG served as a gate voltage to modulate carrier transport along the semiconductor channel and realized self-powered ability with considerable decreased energy consumption. To achieve high spatial utilization and more pronounced responsivity of the dielectric of this transistor, ion gel was used to act as a triboelectric layer to conduct friction and contact electrification with external materials directly to produce triboelectric charges to power GFET. This tribopotential-driving device has excellent tactile sensing properties with high sensitivity (1.125 mm−1), rapid response time (~16 ms), and a durability operation of thousands of cycles. Furthermore, the device was transparent and flexible with the capability of spatially mapping touch stimuli and monitoring real-time temperature. Due to all these unique characteristics, this novel noncontact mechanosensation GSFET active matrix provided a new method for self-powered E-skin with promising potential for self-powered wearable devices and intelligent robots.

A novel tribotronic transistor has been developed by vertically coupling a single-electrode mode triboelectric nanogenerator and a MoS2 field effect transistor. Once an external material contacts with or separates from the device, negative charges are induced by triboelectrification on the surface of the polymer frictional layer, which act as a 'gate' voltage to modulate the carrier transport in the MoS2 channel instead of the conventional applied gate voltage; the drain-source current can be tuned in the range of 1.56-15.74 μA, for nearly ten times. The application of this MoS2 tribotronic transistor for the active smart tactile switch is also demonstrated, in which the on/off ratio can reach as high as ≈16 when a finger touches the device and the increased drain-source current is sufficient to light two light-emitting diodes. This work may provide a technique route to utilize the 2D materials based tribotronic transistors in MEMS, nanorobotics, and human-machine interfacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of flexible organic tribotronic transistor memory is proposed, which can be written and erased by externally applied touch actions as an active memory. By further coupling with an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a visible and wearable touch monitoring system is achieved, in which touch triggering can be memorized and shown as the emission from the OLED., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)