A research team led by the Universities of ARMIT and Melbourne published a new study in the journal Advanced Functional Materials about creating a new wearable device that can generate energy based on movement, and create and modify memory.
This innovation may contribute to the development of a large number of currently used technologies, as it can be used in building energy harvesters (devices that extract energy from movement), highly sensitive sensors, in addition to improving the efficiency of devices for measuring vital signs.
The innovation relies primarily on the phenomenon of piezoelectricity, or what is known as (Piezoelectric properties), which some materials possess. These materials can generate energy when pressure is applied to them, and they change their shape if they are supplied with electricity.
Improving the efficiency of wearable devices
Researchers always seek to develop various types of electronic devices with the aim of improving their efficiency, reducing the cost of manufacturing, and making them more environmentally friendly.
In this regard, the researchers of the previously mentioned study worked to find a material that possesses the effect of piezoelectricity. The research team was actually able to install an extremely small nanochip inside a casing that can be worn around the finger.
With the finger bent, the nanochip was able to generate an amount of energy, and through it the researchers were able to perform tasks related to electronic memory, such as creating, saving, and deleting data.
Nanoengineering to modify material properties
Nanomaterials with piezoelectric properties are often difficult to produce due to the high cost and low quality of the materials produced.
To solve this problem, the researchers resorted to bismuth oxide, or what is known as (Bismuth), and made some modifications to it at the nanoscale level, which ultimately led to obtaining a nanomaterial with distinctive characteristics.
The researcher supervising the study, Dr. Ali Zavabeti, points out during the press release published on the “TechExplore” platform that the research team exploited the new innovation during a group of experiments in order to create, modify, and scan images at the nanolevel.”
Various advantages of new innovation
When asked about the basic advantages of the new technology, Dr. Zavapiti explained to Al Jazeera Net that "the new device works using self-energy, which means its ability to generate energy depending on the body's movement."
He adds: “The material we developed is characterized by its extreme thinness, and it can be used within large areas, which means it can be used in various devices. This material is also characterized by its safety, as it does not harm vital tissues (such as human skin), and it does not cause friction with these tissues.” Therefore, it causes less irritation to the skin.”
Shanyang Guao, the lead researcher in the study, pointed out in the press release that bismuth oxide can be engineered to achieve the function of building and modifying electronic memory, and it works as a semiconductor material, meaning that it can be used in computer functions.
He explained that the modified material represents a “nano-energy generator” that derives clean energy through movement and exploits it with the greatest possible efficiency.
Ease of application
Zapavetti outlines the requirements for developing electronic devices in general during his conversation with Al Jazeera Net. He said, “In summary, continuous technological development requires reducing the size of materials, pushing them to exploit energy efficiently, and giving them the ability to learn from external influences and benefit from them. Our new innovation will be able to provide all of these Properties".
Regarding the economic and environmental benefits resulting from exploiting the new innovation, Zapavetti reviewed more of the innovation’s unique characteristics, and said, “This technology will contribute to reducing the cost of manufacturing wearable devices, because the material we developed can be produced using simple laboratory equipment, and this process does not require any conditions.” Especially, such as extremely high or low temperatures.”
The study supervisor stressed the ease of exploiting the proposed technology in any country, as it does not require any special expertise or advanced tools.
The research team's next step is to collaborate with an industrial company in order to build a prototype of the new innovation in order to test it on the ground.
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