Intelligent body armor: Advanced Kevlar based integrated energy devices for personal safeguarding. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Jianyu; Wang, Sheng; Zhang, Junshuo; Liu, Shuai; Wang, Wenhui; Yuan, Fang; Gong, Xinglong
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 161(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: A. Aramid fibres -- A. Smart materials -- B. Electrical properties -- D. Mechanical testing; TENG Triboelectric nanogenerator -- KE-TENG Triboelectric nanogenerator based on Kevlar and epoxy -- SSG Shear stiffening gel -- c-SSG Conductive SSG -- SC Supercapacitors -- F-SC Fiber shaped supercapacitor -- AC Activated carbon -- PVA Poly (vinyl alcohol) -- PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene -- CNT Carbon nanotubes -- G' Storage modulus -- G'' Loss modulus -- PDMS Polydimethylsiloxane; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.107083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Kevlar, epoxy, and shear stiffening gel (SSG) was assembled by vacuum encapsulation to prepare triboelectric nanogenerator. Epoxy not only greatly improved the triboelectric properties, but also enhanced the mechanical properties of KE-TENG. The shear stiffening effect from SSG allowed KE-TENG to dissipate up to 72.4 % of the force under drop hammer impact. KE-TENG provided protection under impact while transmitting the impact signal remotely via bluetooth module. Fiber-shaped supercapacitor was prepared and integrated with KE-TENG to realize energy storage. Abstract: Despite the rapid advances in wearable electronics, there are still challenges in developing wearable energy devices with excellent mechanical properties, let alone resisting bullets. In this work, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on Kevlar and epoxy is developed (KE-TENG). It not only can protect users, but also collects the impact energy and store. Interestingly, impact signals can also be transmitted remotely via Bluetooth module and act as an alarm, showing its potential in wearable protective clothing. Epoxy not only improves the triboelectric properties of KE-TENG, but also greatly enhances the robustness under impact. Furthermore, a fiber shaped supercapacitor (F-SC) has been prepared in this work. F-SC has stable energy storage capacity, which does not deteriorate under different bending angles or multiple charge–discharge cycles. Most importantly, it can be assembled with KE-TENG via rectifiers, realizing an integrated system for energy collection and storage.