Abstract
The development of a method for integrating highly efficient energy conversion materials onto stretchable, biocompatible rubbers could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. Being electromechanlcally coupled, piezoelectric crystals represent a particularly Interesting subset of smart materials that function as sensors/actuators, bioMEMS devices, and energy converters. Yet, the crystallization of these materials generally requires high temperatures for maximally efficient performance, rendering them incompatible with temperature-sensitive plastics and rubbers. Here, we overcome these limitations by presenting a scalable and parallel process for transferring crystalline piezoelectric nanothick ribbons of lead zirconate titanate from host substrates onto flexible rubbers over macroscopic areas. Fundamental characterization of the ribbons by piezo-force microscopy indicates that their electromechanical energy conversion metrics are among the highest reported on a flexible medium. The excellent performance of the piezo-ribbon assemblies coupled with stretchable, biocompatible rubber may enable a host of exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 524-525 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Nano letters |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 10 2010 |
Keywords
- Biomems
- Energy conversion
- Flexible electronics
- Nanomechanlcs
- Piezo force microscopy
- Piezoelectric nanoribbons