skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Title: 2D Materials for Wearable Energy Harvesting
Abstract The growing demand for energy in wearable sensors and portable electronics necessitates the development of self‐contained, sustainable, and mobile power sources capable of harvesting environmental energies. Researchers have made significant strides in implementing photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics, and triboelectrics in 2D materials. This has resulted in significant advancements in wearable energy harvesting systems based on 2D materials. This review discusses the relationship between synthesis procedures, material structures/properties, and device performance in the context of 2D materials‐based wearable energy harvesting technologies. Finally, challenges and future research opportunities are identified and discussed based on current progress.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1762698
PAR ID:
10371168
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Advanced Materials Technologies
Volume:
7
Issue:
9
ISSN:
2365-709X
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract 2D materials have exceptional physical and chemical characteristics, which makes them attractive for wearable technology. These characteristics include high carrier mobility, outstanding mechanical performance, abundant chemistry, and excellent electrostatic tunability. However, due to the high electron doping effect of interfacial charge impurities and intrinsic defects, most reported 2D materials are n‐type. Complementary electronic devices and high‐performance wearable sensors necessitate the development ofp‐type 2D semiconductors, which have superior electrocatalytic performance in oxidative processes compared to their n‐type counterparts. This review paper thoroughly accounts for recent advancements in 2Dp‐type semiconductor‐based wearable sensors, covering basic understandings, synthesis and fabrication, functional devices, and sensor performance insights. Finally, challenges and future opportunities for 2Dp‐type semiconductor‐based wearable sensors are discussed. 
    more » « less
  2. The potential of energy harvesting and batteryless sensing promises a future where IoT devices will become sustainable, long-lasting, and maintenance free. Given the significant challenges involved with building and programming such devices, it is reasonable to question whether energy harvesting based IoT can replace existing wearables (fitness trackers, smartwatches, or medical devices), while providing a reliable user experience. Hence, an important question arises: “What role can energy harvesting based sensing play in the age of AI and deep learning?” While energy harvesting based sensors can unlock new applications in wearables and personalized data analytics, the path towards integrating them into the modern deep learning landscape requires substantial intellectual innovation. This workshop aims to bridge multiple perspectives in wearable sensing and data analytics in the modern age of AI. 
    more » « less
  3. Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) superlattices, formed by stacking sublattices of 2D materials, have emerged as a powerful platform for tailoring and enhancing material properties beyond their intrinsic characteristics. However, conventional synthesis methods are limited to pristine 2D material sublattices, posing a significant practical challenge when it comes to stacking chemically modified sublattices. Here we report a chemical synthesis method that overcomes this challenge by creating a unique 2D graphene superlattice, stacking graphene sublattices with monodisperse, nanometer-sized, square-shaped pores and strategically doped elements at the pore edges. The resulting graphene superlattice exhibits remarkable correlations between quantum phases at both the electron and phonon levels, leading to diverse functionalities, such as electromagnetic shielding, energy harvesting, optoelectronics, and thermoelectrics. Overall, our findings not only provide chemical design principles for synthesizing and understanding functional 2D superlattices but also expand their enhanced functionality and extensive application potential compared to their pristine counterparts. 
    more » « less
  4. Recent advancements in wearable technology have improved lifestyle and medical practices, enabling personalized care ranging from fitness tracking, to real-time health monitoring, to predictive sensing. Wearable devices serve as an interface between humans and technology; however, this integration is far from seamless. These devices face various limitations such as size, biocompatibility, and battery constraints wherein batteries are bulky, are expensive, and require regular replacement. On-body energy harvesting presents a promising alternative to battery power by utilizing the human body’s continuous generation of energy. This review paper begins with an investigation of contemporary energy harvesting methods, with a deep focus on piezoelectricity. We then highlight the materials, configurations, and structures of such methods for self-powered devices. Here, we propose a novel combination of thin-film composites, kirigami patterns, and auxetic structures to lay the groundwork for an integrated piezoelectric system to monitor and sense. This approach has the potential to maximize energy output by amplifying the piezoelectric effect and manipulating the strain distribution. As a departure from bulky, rigid device design, we explore compositions and microfabrication processes for conformable energy harvesters. We conclude by discussing the limitations of these harvesters and future directions that expand upon current applications for wearable technology. Further exploration of materials, configurations, and structures introduce interdisciplinary applications for such integrated systems. Considering these factors can revolutionize the production and consumption of energy as wearable technology becomes increasingly prevalent in everyday life. 
    more » « less
  5. null (Ed.)
    Motion energy harvesting is an ideal alternative to battery in wearable applications since it can produce energy on demand. So far, widespread use of this technology has been hindered by bulky, inflexible and impractical designs. New flexible piezoelectric materials enable comfortable use of this technology. However, the energy harvesting potential of this approach has not been thoroughly investigated to date. This paper presents a novel mathematical model for estimating the energy that can be harvested from joint movements on the human body. The proposed model is validated using two different piezoelectric materials attached on a 3D model of the human knee. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that combines analytical modeling and experimental validation for joint movements. Thorough experimental evaluations show that 1) users can generate on average 13 μW power while walking, 2) we can predict the generated power with 4.8% modeling error. 
    more » « less