Scalable nanomanufacturing and assembly of chiral-chain piezoelectric tellurium nanowires for wearable self-powered cardiovascular monitoring. Issue 1 (4th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yixiu; Wang, Ruoxing; Wan, Shihan; Wang, Qingxiao; Kim, Moon J; Ding, Dong; Wu, Wenzhuo
• Is Part Of: Nano futures. Volume 3:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-01-04
• Subjects: piezoelectric device -- scalable nanomanufacturing -- tellurium nanowires -- self-powered sensor -- wearable electronics -- physiological monitoring; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1088/2399-1984/aaf76f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-1984

Abstract

Abstract: The economically viable production of piezoelectric nanomaterials that can efficiently convert low-level mechanical signals into electrical power promises to revolutionize the emerging self-powered technologies in wearable sensors, consumer electronics, and defense applications. Here, we report the scalable nanomanufacturing and assembly of tellurium (Te) nanowires with chiral-chain structure into wearable piezoelectric devices, and explore the feasibility of such devices for self-powered sensing applications, e.g. cardiovascular monitoring. The ultrathin device can be conformably worn onto the human body, effectively converting the imperceptible time-variant mechanical vibration from the human body, e.g. radial artery pulse, into distinguishable electrical signals through straining the piezoelectric Te nanowires. We further uncover the process-structure-property relationships in designing, manufacturing, and integrating the Te nanowire piezoelectric devices. Our results suggest the potential of solution-synthesized Te nanowire as a new class of piezoelectric nanomaterial for self-powered devices and may lead to new opportunities in energy, electronics, and sensor applications.