28 / 2016-09-20 14:36:35

Packaged self-powered system with universal connectors based on hybridized nanogenerators

hybrid nanogenerator, packaged, self-powered system, connector

Implantable medical devices, integrated wireless healthcare sensors and portable electronics are attracting extensive attention 1-2, but the batteries used for powering these devices usually display a limited lifetime 3. Although battery technology has improved, sustainable power sources for cardiac pacemakers, neural stimulators and other implantable biomedical devices are required. Mechanical energy was considered as one of most abundant and accessible energy sources around the human body 4. When a small system can efficiently convert mechanical energy in our daily life, this system would be a suitable solution for electricity generation and significantly extend the lifetime of the electronic devices. Piezoelectric material is one of appropriate choices to fabricate mechanical-to-electrical energy transduction devices and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) 5 has attracted much attention and been considered as another potential solution for harvesting mechanical energy.
In this paper, we report a piezoelectric and triboelectric hybrid nanogenerator (PTNG) for enhanced output. Meanwhile, a packaged self-powered system by hybridizing NGs (PSNGS) is demonstrated. The performance of the PSNGS is tested in a biofluid and also used for powering an electronic thermometer for in vivo temperature measurement. Furthermore, connectors are one of the key factors for the application of PSNGS. Therefore, several design of different connectors between PSNGS and electronic devices are discussed, which may establish a standard because of waterproof, fine signal transmission and flexible properties. These design of universal connectors can provide a reference for researchers to develop self-powered electronics using the PSNGS.