Hand-gesture recognition using self-powered and single-electrode motion sensors fabricated with InN nanowires.

Journal: Materials horizons
Published Date: Feb 23, 2026

Abstract

The ability to accurately monitor human motions such as hand-gestures is essential for establishing human-machine interface (HMI) systems for application in cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. In this study, we developed self-powered and single-electrode piezoelectric motion sensors (PMSs) to precisely monitor hand-gestures. The sensors are based on semiconductor InN nanowires (NWs) and graphene as the response medium and channel of carrier movement, respectively. Compared to motion sensors with a double-electrode configuration, the single-electrode device offers notable advantages, including structural simplicity, elimination of the shielding effect of the top electrode, and a reduced risk of failure resulting from short-circuiting. Systematic analysis of the self-powered PMSs by varying the degree of strain, relative humidity, number of bending cycles, and operational time (up to 30 days) indicates that the device performance is sufficient for practical application. A PMS module composed of 14 chips attached to the finger joints of a left hand was able to successfully distinguish hand-gestures corresponding to the volume of an object (softball, baseball, and golf ball). This result demonstrates that single-electrode PMSs with InN NWs could contribute to realizing sophisticated HMI technology.

Authors

  • Jaehyeok Shin
    Department of Electronic and Information Materials Engineering, Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Research Institute of Materials and Energy Science, and Research Center of Advanced Materials Development, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea. [email protected].
  • Seunghwan Jhee
    Department of Electronic and Information Materials Engineering, Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Research Institute of Materials and Energy Science, and Research Center of Advanced Materials Development, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea. [email protected].
  • Sumin Kang
    AgeTech-Service Convergence Major, Department of Electronic Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea.
  • Hye Min Oh
    Department of Physics, Kunsan National University, Gunsan 54150, Republic of Korea.
  • Chang Kyu Jeong
    Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea.
  • Siyun Noh
    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA.
  • Jin Soo Kim
    Department of Electronic and Information Materials Engineering, Division of Advanced Materials Engineering, Research Institute of Materials and Energy Science, and Research Center of Advanced Materials Development, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea. [email protected].

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