The biocompatible material converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. (Credit: DGIST)

A research team has obtained electrical energy from small movements of the human body, such as the blink of an eye, by using biocompatible materials to minimize the device’s thickness. The developed energy-generating device is expected to be applied as an energy source for remote medical diagnostic devices.

The piezoelectric power-generating device is ultra-thin film of about 4 μm with little discomfort to the wearer. In particular, the device displayed constant performance even when it was folded or on curved surfaces and it can obtain energy without losing performance even after being deformed about 10,000 times, showing the possibility of becoming a stable power source.

Using PVDF-TrFE, a biocompatible piezoelectric polymer material, the device converts mechanical energy, which is input energy, into electrical energy, which is output energy, and produces energy conversion efficiency at 18.85 percent. It can supply power to a sensor that measures biosignals over a long period of time and could replace heavy and solid batteries

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Topics:
Medical Diagnostics Energy Harvesting Materials Polymers People and personalities Collaboration and partnering Research and development Off-board energy sources Electric power Medical, health and wellness Medical equipment and supplies

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    This article first appeared in the October, 2022 issue of Medical Design Briefs Magazine (Vol. 12 No. 10).

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