A Fully Transient Mechanical Energy Harvester. Issue 8 (9th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muralidharan, Nitin; Afolabi, Jeremiah; Share, Keith; Li, Mengya; Pint, Cary L.
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials technologies. Volume 3:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-07-09
• Subjects: energy harvester -- electromechanical coupling -- transient electronics -- transient power systems -- wearable electronics; Materials science -- Periodicals; Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Materials science; Technological innovations; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1002/admt.201800083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-709X

Abstract

Abstract: Here, a novel design of a mechanical energy harvester combining peak power output competitive with state‐of‐the‐art energy harvester devices is reported, but with a design enabling full transience, or dissolution, of the harvester after 30 min upon triggering in basic water. The harvester incorporates a symmetric cell combining Li x Al alloy electrodes and polyvinyl alcohol packaging that harvests mechanical energy due to the mechanical–electrochemical stress coupling between the electrodes. Prototype harvester devices demonstrate peak output power of 0.208 µW cm −2 with continuous energy generation up to 1.76 µJ cm −2 at a mechanical input frequency of 0.1 Hz. This work introduces a new class of power systems simultaneously tailored for transience, high‐performance energy harvesting, and operation frequency relevant to wearable technologies. Abstract : A transient mechanical energy harvester that operates on the basis of mechanical–electrochemical coupling provides continuous energy generation for wearable devices with low frequency mechanical stimuli (<1 Hz) until a trigger solution is introduced when full dissolution of all working and packaging components is achieved.