A vertical stretchable self-powered light sensor based on thermogalvanic gel electrolyte via photo-thermal-electric conversion

The passivity and stretchability of sensors are the focus of current electronic research, and the main reason for limiting their development is that sensors always require external power supplies and lack enough stretchability. In response to this problem, the development of self-powered sensors is a good solution. In this paper, a self-powered vertical stretchable environment-friendly light intensity sensor has been realized by combining the electrolyte-based thermogalvanic gel and organic carbon sponge that is prepared by making the mixture of carbon nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane porous. The upper photothermal layer can absorb light effectively and converts it into heat that trigger the lower thermogalvanic layer to send thermovoltage signals. Via the subtle photo-thermal-electric conversion, we can achieve the active monitoring for light intensity due to a strong correlation between output voltages and the light intensity. Further, we have designed a light intensity monitoring platform, through which the user terminal can receive the light intensity information in real time. The passive light intensity sensor may possess potential applications in artificial breeding, artificial planting, energy saving and emission reduction.