Intelligent facemask based on triboelectric nanogenerator for respiratory monitoring

The fast-spreading of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been sweeping around the globe and brought heavy casualties and economic losses, which creates dire needs for technological solutions into medical preventive actions. In this work, triboelectric nanogenerator for respiratory sensing (RS-TENG) has been designed and integrated with facemask, which endows the latter with respiratory monitoring function. The output of RS-TENG for respiratory flow can reach up to about 8 V and 0.8 μA respectively although it varies with different respiratory status, which proves the high sensitivity of RS-TENG for respiratory monitoring. An apnea alarm system can be constructed by combining the smart facemask with circuit modules so that timely alarm can be transmitted after people stop breathing. Furthermore, RS-TENG can be used to control household appliances, which brings convenience to the life of the disabled people. Considering its incomparable advantages such as small volume, easy fabrication, simple installation and economical applicability, such design is helpful for developing multifunctional health monitoring gadgets during the COVID-19 pandemic. This TENG-based facemask not only can real-time monitor human breath sensitively and accurately, but also can combine with different circuit module to realize different functions, such as control electric appliances by breath or apneal alarm. The research has proved that this facemask has a good prospect in the fields of wearable device, smart medical care systems and respiratory monitoring. [Display omitted] •Construct a triboelectric nanogenerator for real-time respiratory sensing through a simple way.•A simple breath state indicator which can distinguish breath method was construct by combing the sensor with a LED bulb.•A HMI system and a respiratory arrest alarm system were constructed successfully by the designed sensor.