Recent advances in piezoelectric wearable energy harvesting based on human motion: Materials, design, and applications

Abstract

This review reports recent breakthroughs in piezoelectric wearable energy harvesting technology, specifically focusing on their harnessing biomechanical energy from all over the human motion. Wearable technology has significantly reshaped our daily lives, prompting a pressing demand for intelligent and novel sensing mechanisms. These wearable devices and sensors often rely on batteries, necessitating frequent replacements or recharging. Leveraging the biomechanical energy of the human body, this paper underscores piezoelectric-based wearable energy harvesting from human motion. The sources of the human body's motion energy are categorized into three distinct groups based on their roles as excitation sources for energy harvesting. Additionally, this paper reviews the latest advancements in piezoelectric wearable technology for electricity generation, explicating the fundamental operational principles, structural designs, materials, and potential applications of piezoelectric wearable energy harvesters. Furthermore, it discusses the prevailing challenges associated with this technology in a dedicated section. Concluding with recommended guidelines, this paper underscores potential opportunities and shed light on future exploration.