Recent Progress in Energy Harvesting Technologies for Self‐Powered Wearable Devices: The Significance of Polymers
Hana Afshar, Farimah Kamran, Farangis Shahi
Abstract
ABSTRACT The growing demand for self‐powered wearable electronic devices in healthcare, fitness, and entertainment has driven significant advancements in energy harvesting technologies. This review explores the latest progress in energy harvesting mechanisms that enable sustainable and autonomous wearable devices, with a particular emphasis on the role of polymers in their development. Polymers offer a unique combination of mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, and lightweight properties, making them ideal for wearable applications. The review systematically categorizes the major energy harvesting technologies into three primary mechanisms: thermoelectric generators (TEGs), piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs), and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Each section provides an in‐depth discussion of the working principles, material innovations, fabrication techniques, and applications of these energy harvesting technologies in wearable systems. Beyond the fundamental mechanisms, the review discusses hybrid energy harvesting systems that integrate multiple energy sources to maximize power generation and ensure continuous device operation. The role of energy storage technologies, such as flexible supercapacitors and micro‐batteries, is also highlighted to address the intermittency challenges of ambient energy sources. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in improving energy conversion efficiency, enhancing device durability, and optimizing system integration for real‐world applications. The review identifies key research directions for overcoming these challenges, including advanced materials engineering, miniaturization techniques, and artificial intelligence‐driven energy management strategies. The findings presented in this review provide valuable insights into the development of next‐generation self‐powered wearable devices, paving the way for sustainable and efficient wearable electronics that seamlessly integrate into daily life.