Smart gloves-based triboelectric nanogenerator for sign language detection

Sign language is frequently used to facilitate communication between the normal and individuals having speaking and hearing difficulties. In this work, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on smart gloves was designed for a self-powered sign language detection system. The TENG was fabricated using flexible materials like copper, aluminum electrodes, and polyethylene fabric (PE). To accommodate many finger positions and the backside of fingers as separate channels, the TENG was made to be both circular and rectangular in shape. Employing PE fabric as an active layer, these TENG devices can successfully harvest biomechanical energy from finger motions while being comfortable for the fingers. The TENG device with 4 cm × 4 cm dimensions demonstrated the highest voltage and current of 220 V and 750 nA, respectively, whereas the highest power of the device is 65 μW at 500 MΩ resistance. The TENG device was effectively used to charge various capacitors and power a low-power digital watch. The electrical outputs from performing the sign language gestures were collected using the TENG and translated into digital signals using Python. This sign-language detection based on the TENG system is completely tailorable, easy to fabricate, low-cost, and wearable. The emergency sign languages can be easily translated into text signals and can be recognized by non-signers, and take immediate action for the required scenarios.