Self-Powered Pyroelectric Warmth Sensor for Robotic Integration and Materials Recognition

This work presents the self-powered warmth sensor based on the pyroelectric effect. Pyroelectric materials are generally used for energy harvesting and temperature sensing. For the first time, we showcase warmth sensing using the pyroelectric effect. The pyroelectric tactile sensor comprises a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) attached to a Peltier heater. When the heated pyro-sensor contacts a cooler object, there is an instant drop in sensor temperature due to the conduction heat loss. Such temperature drop generates pyroelectric current, and different materials produce distinguishable outputs, as the temperature change depends on the heat transfer rate. As a result, direct sensing of warmth depends on not only the temperature but also the thermal properties of the object and distinguishing different materials using the pyro-sensor integrated robotic gripper.