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Piezoelectric Devices For Wearable Applications
Context:
Researchers have found a droplet microfluidics technology to produce Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microspheres with high electroactive (EA) phase that can lead to piezoelectric devices for wearable applications, serving as self-powered sensors for monitoring diverse physiological signals.
About microspheres of PVDF produced via microfluidics:
- The Department of Science and Technology has introduced droplet microfluidics technology, combined with an off-chip thermal polymerisation technique to synthesise tunable Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microspheres.
- Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is a semi-crystalline polymer with remarkable piezo-, ferro-, and pyroelectric properties in its electroactive phase (EA), holds significant potential.
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Comparison with Traditional Polymer Microspheres:
- Fabrication Techniques: Traditional methods (solvent evaporation, electrospraying, emulsion) often result in broader size distributions and less control over morphology compared to microfluidics.Material Properties: Traditional methods may not achieve the high levels of electroactive phases that microfluidics can produce.
- Cost and Efficiency: Traditional methods are cost-effective for large-scale production but lack the precision and efficiency of microfluidics, especially for applications needing specific material properties.
- Size and shape adjustability, simplicity, efficiency, and effective heat dissipation in microfluidics produced PVDF.
- The obtained microspheres exhibited uniformity and monodispersity with a narrow size distribution.
Application of new Technology:
- Integration with Wearable Technology:Piezoelectric devices can be incorporated into wearable technology like smartwatches, smartphone charging ,fitness trackers, and health monitors.
- These devices harness energy from body movements—such as walking or exercising—to power themselves, reducing the need for batteries.
- Applications in Health Monitoring:Piezoelectric materials can convert mechanical stress into electrical energy, enabling health monitoring devices to track physical activity, heart rate, and other vital signs.