Aluminum impregnated zinc oxide engineered poly(vinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene)-based flexible nanocomposite for efficient harvesting of mechanical energy

Confronting the depletion of fossil fuel energy as well as pollution generated from chemical batteries, associated with the increasing number of electronic equipment and the internet of things, results in a high requirement of lightweight, low cost, sustainable, and durable power devices. Currently, a flexible and self-powered piezoelectric energy harvester (PZEH) is a suitable alternative, which may be easily integrated with small electronics to realize real-time sustainable energy generation. Therefore, a novel PZEH has been fabricated at room temperature (30 degrees C) using Al-doped ZnO (Al@ZnO) incorporated poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanocomposites. Al@ZnO enables nucleation of electroactive phase within PVDF-HFP (10PALZO) exhibited polarity at a much higher fraction (FEA] >90%) compared to neat PVDF-HFP (FEA] = 63.8%). Piezoelectric energy harvesting capability of the device has been investigated under gentle repeated human finger tapping. Optimized Al@ZnO-PVDF-HFP composite (with 10 wt% loading)-based PZEH delivered a high value of open-circuit output voltage similar to 22 V. Such high output value infers a good energy conversion efficiency of the device. For further enhancement of the performance of the device, the 10PALZO nanocomposite was placed under a high electric field of 2.4 MVcm(-1) resulting in an open circuit output voltage of similar to 26 V. In addition to that, the proposed nanocomposite exhibits a good energy storage efficiency (10PALZO-P) which further enhanced to 111.2 mu Jcm(-3) (at 1 Hz) after poling under an electric field 2.4 MVcm(-1). This increment in the output value is due to the improved polarization induced by Al@ZnO within the PVDF-HFP matrix. These results highlight that the filler can efficiently maximize the device performance thereby developing new efficient energy harvesting materials

Submicron graphite platelet-incorporated PVDF composite: an efficient body motion-based energy harvester for flexible electronics

The fast expanding field of wearable technology requires light-weight, low-cost, scalable, flexible and efficient energy harvesters as a source of uninterrupted green power. This work reports fabrication of sub-micron graphite platelet/PVDF composite film-based flexible piezoelectric energy harvester (PGEH) for scavenging the wasted mechanical energy associated with human body motion. The addition of graphite platelet leads to the enhancement of electroactive beta phase in PVDF; consequently, the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the composite are enhanced. 0.5 wt% filler-loaded composite has 96% beta phase fraction and dielectric constant 32 at 100 Hz (tan delta = 0.18).The PGEH produces open circuit voltage of 40 V and instantaneous power density of 3.35 mW cm(-3) with energy conversion efficiency of 22.5% under periodic finger tapping. It can generate fair electrical output under gentle heel (0.8 V) and toe movements (1.2 V). A PGEH is directly employed for powering 50 commercial LEDs and quick charging of a 2.2-mu F capacitor upto 19.2 V. The device is also employed as self-powered dynamic pressure sensor which shows high sensitivity (0.9 VkPa(-1)) with fast response time (1 ms). Therefore, this durable, flexible, efficient PGEH can have promising applications in wearable electronics as a green power source cum self-powered mechanosensor

Morphotropic Phase Boundary-Assisted Lead-Free BaTiO3/PDMS Composite-Based Hybrid Energy Harvester: A Portable Power Source for Wireless Power Transmission

Here, in this present work, the developmentof a lightweight, flexiblehybrid energy harvester using a composite BaTi0.89Sn0.11O3 (BTS)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has beenproposed. A significantly enhanced output performance of hybrid energyharvester (HEH) was achieved by strategically coupling the piezoelectriceffect with the triboelectric output. Thus, multiphase coexisted BTSparticles as confirmed by the structural and dielectric properties,with a high value of d (33) coefficient & SIM;412pC/N, were used as filler for the functional layer (PDMS) of the device.The hybrid energy harvesting device can harvest a maximum voltageof & SIM;358 V with an instantaneous power density of 1.08 mW/cm(2) from human finger imparting (force & SIM; 100 N, frequency & SIM; 4 Hz). The fabricated device harvests energy from handwritingand differentiates fine patterns of different letters by using itas a writing pad. In addition to that, a wireless system utilizingan inductor-based resonant coupling mechanism was developed for wirelesspower transmission. The easy processability, flexibility, high outputperformance, and alignment toward a power source for wireless powertransmission make the fabricated HEH device a promising candidatefor various applications for portable smart flexi-electronics

SiO2 Nanoparticles Incorporated Poly(Vinylidene) Fluoride Composite for Efficient Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting and Dual-Mode Sensing

Flexible electronic skins (e-skins) have a wide range of applications in health monitoring, human-machine interfaces, and robotics. Herein, a novel architecture of e-skins with a combination of multimode measurement and low-cost implementation is proposed. A single electronic skin layer is used to integrate both the pressure and temperature sensing properties. An e-skin membrane is first developed with poly(vinylidene) fluoride incorporated with silicon dioxide nanoparticles. When combined with electrodes, this simple architecture allows the implementation of multimode pressure and temperature sensing. This e-skin exhibits excellent pressure sensitivity with a response time of 1.6 ms. This sensing performance can be attributed to the uniform distribution of the embedded nanoparticles, leading to an enhancement of the electroactive beta phase. This e-skin generates a voltage, from the finger movements, that can be used to detect precisely the minute changes of the finger movement. This electronic skin demonstrates the detection of a linear range of temperature which can be attributed to the phonon-assisted hopping mechanism. A 4 x 4 pressure sensing array is demonstrated, which is able to map the inserted pressure as well as temperature stimuli. Thus, this study provides a new conceptual design for the next-generation green electronic skins

Nature-Driven Biocompatible Epidermal Electronic Skin for Real-Time Wireless Monitoring of Human Physiological Signals

Wearable bioelectronic patches are creating a transformative effect in the health care industry for human physiological signal monitoring. However, the use of such patches is restricted due to the unavailability of a proper power source. Ideal biodevices should be thin, soft, robust, energy-efficient, and biocompatible. Here, we report development of a flexible, lightweight, and biocompatible electronic skin-cum-portable power source for wearable bioelectronics by using a processed chicken feather fiber. The device is fabricated with a novel, breathable composite of biowaste chicken feather and organic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer, where the chicken feather fiber constitutes the ``microbones'' of the PVDF, enhancing its piezoelectric phase content, biocompatibility, and crystallinity. Thanks to its outstanding pressure sensitivity, the fabricated electronic skin is used for the monitoring of different human physiological signals such as body motion, finger and joint bending, throat activities, and pulse rate with excellent sensitivity. A wireless system is developed to remotely receive the different physiological signals as captured by the electronic skin. We also explore the capabilities of the device as a power source for other small electronics. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device can harvest a maximum output voltage of similar to 28 V and an area power density of 1.4 mu W center dot cm-2 from the human finger imparting. The improved energy harvesting property of the device is related to the induced higher fraction of the electroactive phase in the composite. The easy process ability, natural biocompatibility, superior piezoelectric performance, high pressure sensitivity, and alignment toward wireless transmission of the captured data make the device a promising candidate for wearable bioelectronic patches and power sources

Nature-Driven Biocompatible Epidermal Electronic Skin for Real-Time Wireless Monitoring of Human Physiological Signals

Wearable bioelectronic patches are creating a transformative effect in the health care industry for human physiological signal monitoring. However, the use of such patches is restricted due to the unavailability of a proper power source. Ideal biodevices should be thin, soft, robust, energy-efficient, and biocompatible. Here, we report development of a flexible, lightweight, and biocompatible electronic skin-cum-portable power source for wearable bioelectronics by using a processed chicken feather fiber. The device is fabricated with a novel, breathable composite of biowaste chicken feather and organic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer, where the chicken feather fiber constitutes the ``microbones'' of the PVDF, enhancing its piezoelectric phase content, biocompatibility, and crystallinity. Thanks to its outstanding pressure sensitivity, the fabricated electronic skin is used for the monitoring of different human physiological signals such as body motion, finger and joint bending, throat activities, and pulse rate with excellent sensitivity. A wireless system is developed to remotely receive the different physiological signals as captured by the electronic skin. We also explore the capabilities of the device as a power source for other small electronics. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device can harvest a maximum output voltage of similar to 28 V and an area power density of 1.4 mu W center dot cm-2 from the human finger imparting. The improved energy harvesting property of the device is related to the induced higher fraction of the electroactive phase in the composite. The easy process ability, natural biocompatibility, superior piezoelectric performance, high pressure sensitivity, and alignment toward wireless transmission of the captured data make the device a promising candidate for wearable bioelectronic patches and power sources

NiO@SiO₂/PVDF: A Flexible Polymer Nanocomposite for a High Performance Human Body Motion-Based Energy Harvester and Tactile e‑Skin Mechanosensor

Advancement in self-powered portable and wearable electronics mostly depends on the realization of an efficient human activity-based energy harvester and electronic skin (e-skin)-mimicking tactile mechanosensing property of natural human skin. A human activity-based energy harvester can supply power to flexible, potable, electronics equipment associated with the human body, whereas a tactile e-skin mechanosensor can precisely detect static and dynamic pressure stimuli. Here, we report development of a NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposite, a facile piezoelectric material possessing superior flexibility that is light in weight and has low cost, which is an excellent choice for the next generation mechanical energy harvester and tactile e-skin sensors. The fabricated piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) comprising nanocomposites shows very promising output under application of the biomechanical force on it. PNG15 exhibits high output voltage (53 V), adequate current density (∼0.3 μA/cm²), high power density (685 W/m³), and superior conversion efficiency (13.86%). Gentle human finger imparting onto the PNG produces enough electric power to directly illuminate as many as 85 numbers of commercial LEDs and charge a 2.2 μF capacitor up to 22 V within 450 s. The nanogenerator is successfully exploited to generate electrical power by converting mechanical energy from different human activities. We also demonstrate the high mechanosensing capability of a thin, flexible e-skin sensor based on NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites. Because of the high sensitivity, the fabricated e-skin sensor can detect precisely the spatiotemporal distribution of pressure stimuli in static and dynamic conditions. The e-skin sensor is capable of sensing very low level pressure stimuli with a short response time. The promising role of e-skin in real time healthcare monitoring is assessed where a hand-data glove attached with self-powered e-skin sensors can distinguish movements of different fingers. The spatial distribution of pressure stimuli is also resolved by a sensing matrix containing e-skin sensors as pixels. Moreover the operation mechanical stability of the composites is very high which enables this composite to be used in e-skin sensor and energy harvester applications. Our work verifies the scope of NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites in nanogenerators and e-skin applications which are essential components in the field of wearable self-powered electronics, healthcare monitoring, and artificial intelligence attached to a human body

NiO@SiO₂/PVDF: A Flexible Polymer Nanocomposite for a High Performance Human Body Motion-Based Energy Harvester and Tactile e‑Skin Mechanosensor

Advancement in self-powered portable and wearable electronics mostly depends on the realization of an efficient human activity-based energy harvester and electronic skin (e-skin)-mimicking tactile mechanosensing property of natural human skin. A human activity-based energy harvester can supply power to flexible, potable, electronics equipment associated with the human body, whereas a tactile e-skin mechanosensor can precisely detect static and dynamic pressure stimuli. Here, we report development of a NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposite, a facile piezoelectric material possessing superior flexibility that is light in weight and has low cost, which is an excellent choice for the next generation mechanical energy harvester and tactile e-skin sensors. The fabricated piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) comprising nanocomposites shows very promising output under application of the biomechanical force on it. PNG15 exhibits high output voltage (53 V), adequate current density (∼0.3 μA/cm²), high power density (685 W/m³), and superior conversion efficiency (13.86%). Gentle human finger imparting onto the PNG produces enough electric power to directly illuminate as many as 85 numbers of commercial LEDs and charge a 2.2 μF capacitor up to 22 V within 450 s. The nanogenerator is successfully exploited to generate electrical power by converting mechanical energy from different human activities. We also demonstrate the high mechanosensing capability of a thin, flexible e-skin sensor based on NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites. Because of the high sensitivity, the fabricated e-skin sensor can detect precisely the spatiotemporal distribution of pressure stimuli in static and dynamic conditions. The e-skin sensor is capable of sensing very low level pressure stimuli with a short response time. The promising role of e-skin in real time healthcare monitoring is assessed where a hand-data glove attached with self-powered e-skin sensors can distinguish movements of different fingers. The spatial distribution of pressure stimuli is also resolved by a sensing matrix containing e-skin sensors as pixels. Moreover the operation mechanical stability of the composites is very high which enables this composite to be used in e-skin sensor and energy harvester applications. Our work verifies the scope of NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites in nanogenerators and e-skin applications which are essential components in the field of wearable self-powered electronics, healthcare monitoring, and artificial intelligence attached to a human body

NiO@SiO₂/PVDF: A Flexible Polymer Nanocomposite for a High Performance Human Body Motion-Based Energy Harvester and Tactile e‑Skin Mechanosensor

Advancement in self-powered portable and wearable electronics mostly depends on the realization of an efficient human activity-based energy harvester and electronic skin (e-skin)-mimicking tactile mechanosensing property of natural human skin. A human activity-based energy harvester can supply power to flexible, potable, electronics equipment associated with the human body, whereas a tactile e-skin mechanosensor can precisely detect static and dynamic pressure stimuli. Here, we report development of a NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposite, a facile piezoelectric material possessing superior flexibility that is light in weight and has low cost, which is an excellent choice for the next generation mechanical energy harvester and tactile e-skin sensors. The fabricated piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) comprising nanocomposites shows very promising output under application of the biomechanical force on it. PNG15 exhibits high output voltage (53 V), adequate current density (∼0.3 μA/cm²), high power density (685 W/m³), and superior conversion efficiency (13.86%). Gentle human finger imparting onto the PNG produces enough electric power to directly illuminate as many as 85 numbers of commercial LEDs and charge a 2.2 μF capacitor up to 22 V within 450 s. The nanogenerator is successfully exploited to generate electrical power by converting mechanical energy from different human activities. We also demonstrate the high mechanosensing capability of a thin, flexible e-skin sensor based on NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites. Because of the high sensitivity, the fabricated e-skin sensor can detect precisely the spatiotemporal distribution of pressure stimuli in static and dynamic conditions. The e-skin sensor is capable of sensing very low level pressure stimuli with a short response time. The promising role of e-skin in real time healthcare monitoring is assessed where a hand-data glove attached with self-powered e-skin sensors can distinguish movements of different fingers. The spatial distribution of pressure stimuli is also resolved by a sensing matrix containing e-skin sensors as pixels. Moreover the operation mechanical stability of the composites is very high which enables this composite to be used in e-skin sensor and energy harvester applications. Our work verifies the scope of NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites in nanogenerators and e-skin applications which are essential components in the field of wearable self-powered electronics, healthcare monitoring, and artificial intelligence attached to a human body

NiO@SiO₂/PVDF: A Flexible Polymer Nanocomposite for a High Performance Human Body Motion-Based Energy Harvester and Tactile e‑Skin Mechanosensor

Advancement in self-powered portable and wearable electronics mostly depends on the realization of an efficient human activity-based energy harvester and electronic skin (e-skin)-mimicking tactile mechanosensing property of natural human skin. A human activity-based energy harvester can supply power to flexible, potable, electronics equipment associated with the human body, whereas a tactile e-skin mechanosensor can precisely detect static and dynamic pressure stimuli. Here, we report development of a NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposite, a facile piezoelectric material possessing superior flexibility that is light in weight and has low cost, which is an excellent choice for the next generation mechanical energy harvester and tactile e-skin sensors. The fabricated piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) comprising nanocomposites shows very promising output under application of the biomechanical force on it. PNG15 exhibits high output voltage (53 V), adequate current density (∼0.3 μA/cm²), high power density (685 W/m³), and superior conversion efficiency (13.86%). Gentle human finger imparting onto the PNG produces enough electric power to directly illuminate as many as 85 numbers of commercial LEDs and charge a 2.2 μF capacitor up to 22 V within 450 s. The nanogenerator is successfully exploited to generate electrical power by converting mechanical energy from different human activities. We also demonstrate the high mechanosensing capability of a thin, flexible e-skin sensor based on NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites. Because of the high sensitivity, the fabricated e-skin sensor can detect precisely the spatiotemporal distribution of pressure stimuli in static and dynamic conditions. The e-skin sensor is capable of sensing very low level pressure stimuli with a short response time. The promising role of e-skin in real time healthcare monitoring is assessed where a hand-data glove attached with self-powered e-skin sensors can distinguish movements of different fingers. The spatial distribution of pressure stimuli is also resolved by a sensing matrix containing e-skin sensors as pixels. Moreover the operation mechanical stability of the composites is very high which enables this composite to be used in e-skin sensor and energy harvester applications. Our work verifies the scope of NiO@SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites in nanogenerators and e-skin applications which are essential components in the field of wearable self-powered electronics, healthcare monitoring, and artificial intelligence attached to a human body