STTR Phase I: Self-Powering Textiles for Electronic Wearables

这一小型企业技术转移(STTR)项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是将能量转换和能量存储技术集成到称为太阳能超级电容器(SolarCap)的单一色带中。SolarCap技术的创新之处在于，它是一种自动供电的丝带，可以与棉纤维一起编织成织物。电池目前被用来为偏远地区的可穿戴电子设备供电，这些电子设备在供应和资源有限的情况下进行多日旅行。然而，大多数电池都很重，寿命短，而且价格昂贵，将它们运送到恶劣的地点可能是困难和危险的。SolarCap带将具有相当大的商业影响，因为它可以用来为编织在用户背包、衣服等上的可穿戴电子设备充电。拟议中的研究将回答几个关键的科学问题，包括SolarCap带的储能能力、稳定性、充电循环寿命和耐用性。拟议的SolarCap的核心价值在于，它可以为士兵、消防员、急救人员和户外人员提供更高的机动性、舒适性、灵活性和安心，使他们在现场使用设备的电力。它还可以减轻用户携带的身体负荷。这一小型企业技术转移(STTR)第一阶段项目消除了对能源收集和存储的不同设备的需求。对于那些在偏远的户外场所工作的人来说，使用不同的设备收集和储存能量可能是一个重大问题。这是因为，一旦设备的电池电量耗尽，户外人员应该找个地方给电池充电。这项提议的目标是通过将太阳能电池和超级电容器集成到光能带上，开发一种可穿戴的自供电SolarCap光带。为了实现这一目标，将在导电薄带上开发一种柔性钙钛矿型太阳能电池(PSC)。一个混合超级电容器装置将与PSC集成在一起，以存储收获的能量。这两个设备将被集成在一起，以便可以从太阳能电池向存储设备进行直接电荷转移。拟议的SolarCap条带预计将提供超过8%的太阳能转换效率和超过20WhKg-1的能量密度。丝带的大小将被设计成与棉丝一起编织成一种自给自足的织物。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project is the integration of energy conversion and energy storage technologies into a single ribbon called the Solar Supercapacitor (SolarCap). The innovative aspect of SolarCap technology is that it is a self-powering ribbon which can be weaved along with cotton fibers to make a fabric. Batteries are currently being employed for powering wearable electronics used in remote places during multiple day trips with limited supplies and resources. However, most batteries are heavy, have a short life span, and are expensive, and transporting them to hostile locations can be difficult and dangerous. The SolarCap ribbons will have a considerable commercial impact since it can be used to charge the wearable electronics devices while woven on the user's backpack, clothing, etc. The proposed study will answer several key scientific questions including energy storage capability, stability, charge-recharge cycle life and durability of the SolarCap ribbons. The core value of the proposed SolarCap is that it can provide soldiers, firefighters, first responders, and outdoor personals increased mobility, comfort, flexibility, and peace of mind concerning device's electrical power while in the field. It can also reduce the physical load carried by the user. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project eliminates the requirement of distinct devices for energy harvesting and storage. Using distinct devices for energy harvesting and storage can be a significant issue for those who are working at remote outdoor places. This is because, once the battery power of a device is drained, the outdoor personnel should find a place to charge the battery. The objective of this proposal is to develop a wearable self-powering SolarCap ribbon by integrating solar cells and supercapacitors on a ribbon. To accomplish this goal, a flexible perovskite solar cell (PSC) will be developed on a conductive ribbon. A hybrid supercapacitor device will be integrated with the PSC to store the harvested energy. These two devices will be so integrated that a direct electric charge transfer can take place from solar cell to the storage device. The proposed SolarCap ribbons are anticipated to deliver more than 8% solar power conversion efficiency and an energy density of more than 20WhKg -1. The size of the ribbons will be so designed to weave along with cotton filaments to make a self-powering fabric.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.