
Researchers have developed a three-dimensional stretchable piezoelectric energy harvester that can harvest electrical energy using body movements. The device is to be used as a wearable energy harvester as it can be attached to the skin or clothes.
Energy harvesters are of two types based on whether they work on the triboelectric effect or piezoelectric effect. This device is based on the piezoelectric effect, which produces electricity from physical activities such as elastic skin or joint movements.
The device is based on the lead zirconate titanate (PZT), which has a high piezoelectric efficiency. PZT has excellent piezoelectric performance but is hard and brittle, making it difficult to use it as a stretchable device. However, the researchers designed PZT into a three-dimensional structure that is insensitive to deformation, ensuring high energy efficiency and stretchability at the same time.
They also introduced a new curvature-specific coupling electrode design to divide the electrodes into different sections so that the electrical energy of the device is not canceled out. This led to an energy efficiency that is 280 times higher than that of conventional stretching piezoelectric energy harvesters. (Image credit: DGIST/ACS Nano)
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