Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) has announced a breakthrough in self-powered sensor technology.
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A research team led by Prof. Kim Hoe Joon (Department of Robotics and Mechatronics), Dr. Jeong Soon Moon (Division of Energy and Environmental Technology), and Prof. Mishra (University of Southern Denmark) has developed a sensor that simultaneously generates electricity and light using motion and pressure—without relying on batteries.
This innovation has promising applications in disaster rescue, sports monitoring, and wearable technology.
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) and mechanoluminescence (ML) have gained attention as sustainable energy technologies, capable of generating electricity and light without external power sources. However, previous research has largely treated these technologies separately or combined them in ways that fell short of practical use. TENG devices have struggled with power output stability, while ML materials often fail to sustain light emission for extended periods.
The DGIST research team has addressed these challenges by designing a system that integrates both energy and light generation into a single device.
By embedding light-emitting zinc sulfide-copper (ZnS:Cu) particles into a flexible, rubber-like material (polydimethylsiloxane, or PDMS) and utilizing a silver nanowire-based single-electrode structure, they achieved remarkable efficiency. The device maintained consistent performance even after 5000 cycles of repeated pressure, producing stable voltages of up to 60 V and a current of 395 nA.
Beyond its technical advancements, this technology is ready for practical deployment. One of its most valuable applications is emergency signaling, which enables SOS alerts in disaster situations and deep-sea operations. The device functions reliably underwater and in dark environments, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Potential uses extend to wearable safety gear, sports monitoring, and emergency signaling. For example, impact-detecting helmets could instantly send alerts, wrist guards could track movement, and underwater rescue devices could signal for help—all without the need for batteries. This makes the technology not only highly functional but also environmentally sustainable.
This research is of great significance because this technology can generate light and electrical energy simultaneously without batteries, using only motion, and it can be used immediately. In particular, this technology is expected to make our lives safer and more sustainable since it can send real-time signals in emergencies and reduce environmental impact through energy harvesting.
Kim Hoe Joon, Professor and Study Corresponding Author, Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST
The study was co-authored by Sugato Hajra, a postdoctoral researcher at DGIST, and Swati Panda, a Ph.D. student, with Prof. Kim Hoe Joon and Dr. Jeong Soon Moon as corresponding authors.
The findings were published in Advanced Sustainable Systems, where the research was featured as the cover story in the December issue.
Journal Reference:
Hajra, S., et al. (2025) Simultaneous Triboelectric and Mechanoluminescence Sensing Toward Self-Powered Applications. Advanced Sustainable Systems. doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202400609