Universal In Situ Flowrate Monitoring for Piezoelectric Microfluidics via Triboelectric Self‐Sensing

Z Zhaojie Zhang (Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China) L Lang Feng (Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China) B Boyu Shen W Wenkai Liu (State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontier Science Center for Smart Materials) D Daohong Zhang (Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China) Y Yang Yu C Chaoyu Yang (Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) B Bangcheng Zhang (School of Mechatronic Engineering Changchun University of Technology Changchun P. R. China) T Tinghai Cheng (Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China) H Hengyu Li (Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Conventional flowrate monitoring methods for piezoelectric micropumps suffer from limited integration capability, contamination risks, and laboratory dependence. Here, we propose a universal in situ flowrate monitoring method through triboelectric sensing that overcomes these fundamental limitations. By integrating a triboelectric sensor directly within the piezoelectric micropump cavity, we achieve real‐time flowrate monitoring by detecting the piezoelectric vibrator deformation through triboelectric signals. Experimental validation across three distinct micropump architectures demonstrates the remarkable universality of two flowrate monitoring methods (voltage amplitude and frequency pulse), achieving linear fitting coefficients exceeding 0.99 and average monitoring errors below 2.49%. We further develop a microcomputer‐driven system for drug injection applications, achieving flowrates up to 2.2 mL/min with maintained monitoring accuracy of 2.298%. This work establishes a paradigm for fully integrated microfluidic devices and paves the way for intelligent drug delivery systems.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 33
Published June 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

Z

Zhaojie Zhang

Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China

L

Lang Feng

Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China

B

Boyu Shen

W

Wenkai Liu

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontier Science Center for Smart Materials

D

Daohong Zhang

Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China

Y

Yang Yu

C

Chaoyu Yang

Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

B

Bangcheng Zhang

School of Mechatronic Engineering Changchun University of Technology Changchun P. R. China

T

Tinghai Cheng

Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing P. R. China

H

Hengyu Li

Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering