Highly Stretchable Self‐Powered Wearable Electrical Energy Generator and Sensors
Fatemeh Mokhtari, Geoffrey M. Spinks, Sepidar Sayyar, Zhenxiang Cheng, Arjang Ruhparwar, Javad Foroughi
Abstract
Abstract The ubiquity of wearables, coupled with the increasing demand for power, presents a unique opportunity for fiber‐based mobile energy generator systems. However, no commercially available systems currently exist with typical problems including low energy efficiency; short cycle life; slow and expensive manufacturing; and stiff, heavy or bulky componentry that reduce wearer comfort and aesthetic appeal. Herein, a new method is demonstrated to create wearable energy generators and sensors using nanostructured hybrid polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/barium‐titanium oxide (BT) piezoelectric fibers and exploiting the enormous variety of textile architectures. Highly stretchable piezoelectric fibers based on coiled PVDF/rGO/BT fibers energy generator and sensor are developed. It is found that the coiled PVDF/ rGO/BT enables to stretch up to ≈100% strain that produces a peak voltage output of ≈1.3 V with a peak power density of 3 W Kg −1 which is 2.5 times higher than previously reported for piezoelectric textiles. An energy conversion efficiency of 22.5% is achieved for the coiled hybrid piezofiber energy generator. A prototype energy generator and sensors based on a hybrid piezofibers wearable device for energy harvesting and monitoring real time precise healthcare are demonstrated.