A highly shape-adaptive, stretchable design based on conductive liquid for energy harvesting and self-powered biomechanical monitoring

• Published in: Science advances Vol. 2; no. 6; p. e1501624
• Main Authors: Yi, Fang, Wang, Xiaofeng, Niu, Simiao, Li, Shengming, Yin, Yajiang, Dai, Keren, Zhang, Guangjie, Lin, Long, Wen, Zhen, Guo, Hengyu, Wang, Jie, Yeh, Min-Hsin, Zi, Yunlong, Liao, Qingliang, You, Zheng, Zhang, Yue, Wang, Zhong Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Aluminum - chemistry; Biomechanical Phenomena; Electric Conductivity; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Equipment Design; Nanostructures - chemistry; Nylons - chemistry; Polymers - chemistry; SciAdv r-articles; Sustainable Energy; Stretchable; energy harvesting; wearable; self-powered sensing
• ISSN: 2375-2548; 2375-2548
• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501624

Researchers report a scalable approach for highly deformable and stretchable energy harvesters and self-powered sensors. The rapid growth of deformable and stretchable electronics calls for a deformable and stretchable power source. We report a scalable approach for energy harvesters and self-powered sensors that can be highly deformable and stretchable. With conductive liquid contained in a polymer cover, a shape-adaptive triboelectric nanogenerator (saTENG) unit can effectively harvest energy in various working modes. The saTENG can maintain its performance under a strain of as large as 300%. The saTENG is so flexible that it can be conformed to any three-dimensional and curvilinear surface. We demonstrate applications of the saTENG as a wearable power source and self-powered sensor to monitor biomechanical motion. A bracelet-like saTENG worn on the wrist can light up more than 80 light-emitting diodes. Owing to the highly scalable manufacturing process, the saTENG can be easily applied for large-area energy harvesting. In addition, the saTENG can be extended to extract energy from mechanical motion using flowing water as the electrode. This approach provides a new prospect for deformable and stretchable power sources, as well as self-powered sensors, and has potential applications in various areas such as robotics, biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and entertainment.