Membranous Energy Harvester with Tuning Capability for Flexible Electronics

柔性电子学正在成为可穿戴和可植入身体传感器网络(BSN)的一个很有前途的新平台。然而，由于电子设备的电池寿命有限，BSN的实用价值受到了影响。这项研究的目的是通过开发一种膜和可调的能量收集策略来利用人体的生物机械能量，该策略保持了灵活性和可伸缩性，以便与生物电子学相结合。这项研究的成功完成将弥合柔性电子和可持续能源之间的差距，并使BSN的使用和性能最大化。拟议的工作将提供基本的理解和系统的研究，以解决在开发可持续和灵活的电子产品时出现的功率问题。教育和推广计划的结合将(1)促进在能源材料和柔性电子学的界面上进行多学科研究的科学和技术的发展；(2)提供机会加强STEM中的K-12计划；以及(3)扩大代表不足的群体的研究参与。为了充分利用人体内的生物力学能源，并克服目前创建柔性电子系统的障碍，拟议的研究将：(1)利用先进的聚合物基能源材料来提高能量收集性能；(2)开发固态调谐策略，以实现最大功率输出；以及(3)实施可自我维持的电子设备供电系统。这些成就将实现将BSN中的膜式能量收集技术转化为革命性的灵活电子系统的电力解决方案的长期目标。这些研究成果将促进材料和能源科学应用中的工程基础知识，从而导致BSN应用的创新和改进。该奖项反映了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。

Flexible electronics are emerging as a promising new platform for wearable and implantable body sensor networks (BSNs). However, the practical utility of BSNs is compromised by the limited battery life of the electronic devices. The objective of this research is to harness the biomechanical energy of the human body by developing a membranous and tunable energy harvesting strategy that retains flexibility and stretchability to be integrated with bioelectronics. Successful completion of the research will bridge the gap between flexible electronics and sustainable energy, and result in the maximization of the use and performance of BSNs. The proposed work will provide fundamental understanding and systematic studies that can solve the power issues that arise when developing sustainable and flexible electronics. An integration of education and outreach plan will (1) promote the development of science and technology for multidisciplinary research at the interface of energy materials and flexible electronics; (2) provide opportunities to strengthen K-12 programs in STEM; and (3) broaden the research participation of underrepresented groups.To take full advantage of biomechanical energy sources in the human body and overcome current obstacles to creating flexible electronic systems, the proposed research will: (1) leverage advanced polymeric-based energy materials to enhance energy harvesting performance; (2) develop solid-state tuning strategies to achieve the maximum power output; and (3) implement a self-sustainable system for powering electronic devices. These achievements will enable a long-term goal of translating the membranous energy harvesting technology in BSNs to revolutionize power solutions for flexible electronic systems. The research findings will advance knowledge of engineering fundamentals in applications of materials and energy science that will lead to innovations and improvements in BSN applications.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.