An international research group has developed an innovative, high-strength, flexible device, paving the way for a new generation of autonomous sensors. This innovation could change the way we interact with Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
The device, the result of an international collaboration, combines piezoelectric composite materials with unidirectional carbon fibers (UDCF), an anisotropic material that only provides strength in the direction of the fibers.
This new device converts kinetic energy of human movement into electricity, providing an efficient and reliable means of high resistance autonomous sensing.
On the way to a sustainable future
Motion detection, which converts the energy of human movement into measurable electrical signals, is critical to ensuring a sustainable future.
“Many everyday objects, from protective equipment to sports equipment, are connected to the Internet as part of the Internet of Things (IoT) and many of them are equipped with sensors that collect data,” explains Fumio Narita, co-author of the book Studium and Professor at Tohoku University.
Principle, structural design and application of unidirectionally flexible carbon fiber reinforced piezoelectric nanocomposite materials. Tohoku University
A promising device
The group fabricated the device using a combination of unidirectional carbon fiber fabric (UDCF) and sodium potassium niobate nanoparticles (KNN) mixed with epoxy resin (EP).
The UDCF served as both an electrode and a directional amplifier.
The UDCF/KNN-EP system met expectations. Tests showed that the high performance could be maintained even after being stretched more than 1000 times. It has been proven to withstand significantly higher loads when pulled along the grain direction compared to other flexible materials.
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The UDCF/KNN-EP device represents a significant advance in the development of autonomous and flexible IoT sensors. It paves the way for advanced multifunctional IoT devices. The researchers are also excited about the technological advances of their discovery.
For better understanding
What is UDCF/KNN-EP?
The UDCF/KNN-EP is a flexible, high-strength device that converts the kinetic energy of human movement into electricity.
What are the advantages of UDCF/KNN-EP?
This device can maintain high performance even after stretching more than 1000 times. It can withstand a significantly higher load when pulled along the grain direction.
What are the possible applications of UDCF/KNN-EP?
UDCF/KNN-EP could be used in the development of autonomous and flexible IoT sensors, paving the way for advanced multifunctional IoT devices.
Who developed the UDCF/KNN-EP?
It was developed by an international research group with the participation of Fumio Narita, a professor at Tohoku University.
References
Caption: Piezoelectric composites with carbon fibers for motion sensors
Article: “Fabrication, evaluation and multiscale simulation of piezoelectric composites reinforced with unidirectional carbon fibers for flexible motion sensors” – Authors: Yaonan Yu, Chao Luo, Takayuki Suto, Yasutomo Uetsuji, Fumio Narita – Journal: Small
DOI: 10.1002/small.202307689
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