Shape Memory Polymers for Body Motion Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Mechanosensing

Abstract

Growing demand in portable electronics raises a requirement to electronic devices being stretchable, deformable, and durable, for which functional polymers are ideal choices of materials. Here, the first transformable smart energy harvester and self-powered mechanosensation sensor using shape memory polymers is demonstrated. The device is based on the mechanism of a flexible triboelectric nanogenerator using the thermally triggered shape transformation of organic materials for effectively harvesting mechanical energy. This work paves a new direction for functional polymers, especially in the field of mechanosensation for potential applications in areas such as soft robotics, biomedical devices, and wearable electronics.

A shape memory polymer-based triboelectric nanogenerator (STENG) is developed to harvest biomechanical energy and detect biomechanical motion. The STENG is able to transform its shape according to different requirements and hold on to a temporary configuration, which can act as an energy harvester as well as a self-powered, wearable, biomechanical sensor.

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