Flexible lead-free piezoelectric arrays for high-efficiency wireless ultrasonic energy transfer and communication. Issue 8 (10th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Laiming; Wu, Bo; Wei, Xiaowei; Lv, Xiang; Xue, Haoyue; Lu, Gengxi; Zeng, Yushun; Xing, Jie; Wu, Wenjuan; Wu, Jiagang
• Is Part Of: Materials horizons. Volume 9:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 2180
• Page End: 2190
• Publication Date: 2022-06-10
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00437b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6347

Abstract

Abstract : A transcutaneous ultrasound transfer array that hybridizes lots of high-performance (K, Na)NbO3 -based eco-friendly piezo-units with soft structural components was developed for maintaining superior outputs and mechanical flexibility. Abstract : Implantable medical electronics (IMEs) are now becoming increasingly prevalent for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Despite extensive efforts, a primary challenge for IMEs is reliable wireless power and communication to provide well-controlled, therapeutically relevant effects. Ultrasonic energy transfer and communication (UETC) employing traveling ultrasound waves to transmit energy has emerged as a promising wireless strategy for IMEs. Nevertheless, conventional UETC systems are rigid, bulky, and based on toxic lead-based piezoelectric materials, raising efficiency and safety concerns. Here, we present a novel transcutaneous UETC system based on a two-dimensional flexible lead-free piezoelectric array (f-LFPA) that hybridizes high-performance (piezoelectric coefficient d 33 ≈ 503 pC N −1 ) (K, Na)NbO3 -based eco-friendly piezo-units with soft structural components. The newly developed lead-free piezo-unit exhibits submicron ferroelectric domains and superior energy harvesting figures of merit ( d 33 g 33 ≈ 20 000 × 10 −15 m 2 N −1 ), resulting in the prepared f-LFPA demonstrating a high output voltage of 22.4 V, a power density of 0.145 W cm −2, and a signal-to-noise ratio of more than 30 dB within the FDA safety limits, while maintaining the flexibility for wide-angle receiving. Further ex vivo experiment demonstrates the adequate power supply capabilities of the f-LFPA and its possible application in future implantable eco-friendly bioelectronics for diagnostics, therapy, and real-time monitoring.