Different kinds of energy harvesters from human activities

Abstract

SummaryHuman has abundant energy and can achieve energy from different human daily activities with energy harvesters. It can provide power for the wearable electronic devices, and the micro implanted electronic devices. Achieve the purpose of assisting movement, reducing metabolism, detecting life signals, and measuring metabolism level. Energy sources are mainly divided into mechanical energy and biochemical energy. According to the biomechanical energy achieved from different parts of the body, the energy harvesters are classified. The working principle, design idea, wearing style, and materials of the energy harvesters are compared and analyzed. It is indicated that the biochemical energy harvesting technology based on cell and molecular level is an innovative method which can be used for low‐power devices with great potential. While mechanical energy technology based on the principle can achieve more energy, but larger and heavy structure will lead to poor wearing experience. Meanwhile, they should complement each other and excavate human energy. This paper is not only a summary of the current research, but also points to weaknesses and outlines possible improvements that are suitable for practical applications through comparison and analysis of different energy harvesters.Novelty StatementHuman has abundant energy and can achieve energy from different daily activities. Energy sources are divided into mechanical energy and biochemical energy. The biochemical energy harvesters based on cell and molecular level is an innovative method which can be used for low‐power devices. While mechanical energy harvesters can achieve more energy. This paper provides useful information for researchers to develop energy harvesters suitable for practical application in daily life.