Body-Integrated Self-Powered System for Wearable and Implantable Applications.

Abstract

The human body has an abundance of available energy from the mechanical movements of walking, jumping, and running. Many devices such as electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric energy harvesting devices have been demonstrated to convert body mechanical energy into electricity, which can be used to power various wearable and implantable electronics. However, the complicated structure, high cost of production/maintenance, and limitation of wearing and implantation sites restrict the development and commercialization of the body energy harvesters. Here, we present a body-integrated self-powered system (BISS) that is a succinct, highly efficient, and cost-effective method to scavenge energy from human motions. The biomechanical energy of the moving human body can be harvested through a piece of electrode attached to skin. The basic principle of the BISS is inspired by the comprehensive effect of triboelectrification between soles and floor and electrification of the human body. We have proven the feasibility of powering electronics using the BISS in vitro and in vivo. Our investigation of the BISS exhibits an extraordinarily simple, economical, and applicable strategy to harvest energy from human body movements, which has great potential for practical applications of self-powered wearable and implantable electronics in the future.