Self-powered, bio-friendly sensor technology can accurately analyze training posture

A joint research team led by Professor Kim Hoe-joon of the Department of Robotic and Mechatronic Engineering and Professor Hong Seon-ki of the Department of Physics and Chemistry has developed a highly efficient piezoelectric energy harvesting technology using biocompatible perovskite materials.

The work was published in the journal nano energy.

Piezoelectric energy extraction technology, converting physical energy sources, such as Body movementin electric power, is considered a next-generation energy source because of its high energy efficiency and availability of different materials. However, most currently available piezoelectric materials contains lead harmful to human body. So, piezoelectric energy extraction technology has been used as a power source for small electronic devices, but there are safety and health problems.

To overcome the limitations of these existing technologies and materials, the team synthesized CTO materials with excellent piezoelectric properties among biocompatible materials that can be applied to the body. people and analyze the detailed electrical, physical, and thermal properties of the material. In addition, the team succeeded in developing a flexible and resistant composite material by mixing it with PVDF, a piezoelectric polymer.

A cell viability test was conducted to verify biocompatibility properties. As a result, the mixed ingredients developed showed high cell survival and fertility, indicating that there would be no problem even if applied to the human body.

The newly developed piezoelectric power generator has achieved a maximum voltage of 20V and a current of 250nA, allowing it to be used as a energy sources for small electronic devices such as electronic calculators and wristwatches. In addition, it is hoped that it can be used in many applications by verifying its use in a self-powered vibration sensor for harvesting. kinetic energy caused by the vibrations of an object.

Because the material applied in this study is tailored to the human body, it can capture energy in real time from walking and body movement when attached to a body part. In particular, it also proposes the possibility of using it as a self-powered sensor to assess the user’s training ability and jump rope posture by attaching a sensor to the sole of the foot and performing a jump exercise. simple wire.

Measurements taken using analytical neural network (ANN) technique for effective posture diagnosis show that it is possible to determine correct or incorrect posture with a high success rate of 99. ,63%.

Professor Kim Hoe-joon of the Department of Robotic and Mechatronic Engineering said: “We have demonstrated that even bio-friendly materials have excellent piezoelectric properties and this makes sense. huge because we were able to overcome the limitations of existing materials.” He added, “we will challenge the development of next-generation eco-friendly energy sources based on these results and continue our work on self-powered sensing systems that don’t require a power source.” outside.”

Provided by Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)