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Costa CM, Cardoso VF, Martins P, Correia DM, Gonçalves R, Costa P, Correia V, Ribeiro C, Fernandes MM, Martins PM, Lanceros-Méndez S. Smart and Multifunctional Materials Based on Electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride): Recent Advances and Opportunities in Sensors, Actuators, Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:11392-11487. [PMID: 37729110 PMCID: PMC10571047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
From scientific and technological points of view, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, is one of the most exciting polymers due to its overall physicochemical characteristics. This polymer can crystalize into five crystalline phases and can be processed in the form of films, fibers, membranes, and specific microstructures, being the physical properties controllable over a wide range through appropriate chemical modifications. Moreover, PVDF-based materials are characterized by excellent chemical, mechanical, thermal, and radiation resistance, and for their outstanding electroactive properties, including high dielectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and ferroelectric response, being the best among polymer systems and thus noteworthy for an increasing number of technologies. This review summarizes and critically discusses the latest advances in PVDF and its copolymers, composites, and blends, including their main characteristics and processability, together with their tailorability and implementation in areas including sensors, actuators, energy harvesting and storage devices, environmental membranes, microfluidic, tissue engineering, and antimicrobial applications. The main conclusions, challenges and future trends concerning materials and application areas are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos M. Costa
- Physics
Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory
of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, LapMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute
of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Vanessa F. Cardoso
- CMEMS-UMinho, University of
Minho, DEI, Campus de
Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate
Laboratory, Campus de
Gualtar, 4800-058 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Martins
- Physics
Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory
of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, LapMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute
of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Renato Gonçalves
- Center of
Chemistry, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Costa
- Physics
Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory
of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, LapMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute
for Polymers and Composites IPC, University
of Minho, 4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vitor Correia
- CMEMS-UMinho, University of
Minho, DEI, Campus de
Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate
Laboratory, Campus de
Gualtar, 4800-058 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Clarisse Ribeiro
- Physics
Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory
of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, LapMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida M. Fernandes
- CMEMS-UMinho, University of
Minho, DEI, Campus de
Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate
Laboratory, Campus de
Gualtar, 4800-058 Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Martins
- Institute
of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Centre
of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez
- Physics
Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory
of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, LapMET, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- BCMaterials,
Basque Center for Materials, Applications
and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU
Science Park, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
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2
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Gunasekhar R, Sathiyanathan P, Reza MS, Prasad G, Prabu AA, Kim H. Polyvinylidene Fluoride/Aromatic Hyperbranched Polyester of Third-Generation-Based Electrospun Nanofiber as a Self-Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wearable Energy Harvesting and Health Monitoring Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2375. [PMID: 37242949 PMCID: PMC10224140 DOI: 10.3390/polym15102375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Flexible pressure sensors have played an increasingly important role in the Internet of Things and human-machine interaction systems. For a sensor device to be commercially viable, it is essential to fabricate a sensor with higher sensitivity and lower power consumption. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) prepared by electrospinning are widely used in self-powered electronics owing to their exceptional voltage generation performance and flexible nature. In the present study, aromatic hyperbranched polyester of the third generation (Ar.HBP-3) was added into PVDF as a filler (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt.% w.r.t. PVDF content) to prepare nanofibers by electrospinning. The triboelectric performances (open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current) of PVDF-Ar.HBP-3/polyurethane (PU)-based TENG shows better performance than a PVDF/PU pair. Among the various wt.% of Ar.HBP-3, a 10 wt.% sample shows maximum output performances of 107 V which is almost 10 times that of neat PVDF (12 V); whereas, the current slightly increases from 0.5 μA to 1.3 μA. The self-powered TENG is also effective in measuring human motion. Overall, we have reported a simpler technique for producing high-performance TENG using morphological alteration of PVDF, which has the potential for use as mechanical energy harvesters and as effective power sources for wearable and portable electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramadasu Gunasekhar
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Ponnan Sathiyanathan
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information & Electronics, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammad Shamim Reza
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information & Electronics, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Gajula Prasad
- School of Energy, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, 1600, Cheonan-si 31253, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Arun Anand Prabu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Hongdoo Kim
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information & Electronics, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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3
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Enhancement of Piezoelectric Properties of Flexible Nanofibrous Membranes by Hierarchical Structures and Nanoparticles. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14204268. [DOI: 10.3390/polym14204268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) show superiority in self-powered energy converters and wearable electronics. However, the low power output and ineffective transformation of mechanical energy into electric energy l limit the role of PENGs in energy conversion and storage devices, especially in fiber-based wearable electronics. Here, a PAN-PVDF/ZnO PENG with a hierarchical structure was designed through electrospinning and a hydrothermal reaction. Compared with other polymer nanofibers, the PAN-PVDF/ZnO nanocomposites not only showed two distinctive diameter distributions of uniform nanofibers, but also the complete coverage and embedment of ZnO nanorods, which brought about major improvements in both mechanical and piezoelectric properties. Additionally, a simple but effective method to integrate the inorganic nanoparticles into different polymers and regulate the hierarchical structure by altering the types of polymers, concentrations of spinning solutions, and growth conditions of nanoparticles is presented. Further, the designed P-PVDF/ZnO PENG was demonstrated as an energy generator to successfully power nine commercial LEDs. Thus, this approach reveals the critical role of hierarchical structures and processing technology in the development of high-performance piezoelectric nanomaterials.
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Kargar SM, Hao G. A Drifter-Based Self-Powered Piezoelectric Sensor for Ocean Wave Measurements. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22135050. [PMID: 35808544 PMCID: PMC9269729 DOI: 10.3390/s22135050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, piezoelectric materials have received remarkable attention in marine applications for energy harvesting from the ocean, which is a harsh environment with powerful and impactful waves and currents. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, although there are various designs of piezoelectric energy harvesters for marine applications, piezoelectric materials have not been employed for sensory and measurement applications in marine environment. In the present research, a drifter-based piezoelectric sensor is proposed to measure ocean waves' height and period. To analyze the motion principle and the working performance of the proposed drifter-based piezoelectric sensor, a dynamic model was developed. The developed dynamic model investigated the system's response to an input of ocean waves and provides design insights into the geometrical and material parameters. Next, finite element analysis (FEA) simulations using the commercial software COMSOL-Multiphysics were carried out with the help of a coupled physics analysis of Solid Mechanics and Electrostatics Modules to achieve the output voltages. An experimental prototype was fabricated and tested to validate the results of the dynamic model and the FEA simulation. A slider-crank mechanism was used to mimic ocean waves throughout the experiment, and the results showed a close match between the proposed dynamic modeling, FEA simulations, and experimental testing. In the end, a short discussion is devoted to interpreting the output results, comparing the results of the simulations with those of the experimental testing, sensor's resolution, and the self-powering functionality of the proposed drifter-based piezoelectric sensor.
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Zhang Z, Chu F, Wang X, Zhou X, Xiong G. Microfluidic Fabrication of a PDMS Microlens for Imaging Tunability. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:4059-4064. [PMID: 35324201 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A microfluidic system was created to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microspheres, whose shape, surface smoothness, and size were controlled. Resulting from their excellent optical properties and elasticity prepared by the apparatus, each PDMS microsphere could act as a microlens and separate imaging unit. The focal length of the microlens was simply tuned by the forces posed on the beads. For the microlens array (MLA) application, it was constructed simply through the assembly of the monodisperse PDMS beads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing & Packaging Materials and Technology in Universities of Shandong, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, Shandong, China
| | - Fuqiang Chu
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing & Packaging Materials and Technology in Universities of Shandong, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Mechanical and Precision Instrument Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shanxi, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing & Packaging Materials and Technology in Universities of Shandong, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, Shandong, China
| | - Guirong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing & Packaging Materials and Technology in Universities of Shandong, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, Shandong, China
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6
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Mu J, Xian S, Yu J, Zhao J, Song J, Li Z, Hou X, Chou X, He J. Synergistic Enhancement Properties of a Flexible Integrated PAN/PVDF Piezoelectric Sensor for Human Posture Recognition. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:1155. [PMID: 35407273 PMCID: PMC9000213 DOI: 10.3390/nano12071155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The flexible pressure sensor has attracted much attention due to its wearable and conformal advantage. All the same, enhancing its electrical and structural properties is still a huge challenge. Herein, a flexible integrated pressure sensor (FIPS) composed of a solid silicone rubber matrix, composited with piezoelectric powers of polyacrylonitrile/Polyvinylidene fluoride (PAN/PVDF) and conductive silver-coated glass microspheres is first proposed. Specifically, the mass ratio of the PAN/PVDF and the rubber is up to 4:5 after mechanical mixing. The output voltage of the sensor with composite PAN/PVDF reaches 49 V, which is 2.57 and 3.06 times that with the single components, PAN and PVDF, respectively. In the range from 0 to 800 kPa, its linearity of voltage and current are all close to 0.986. Meanwhile, the sensor retains high voltage and current sensitivities of 42 mV/kPa and 0.174 nA/kPa, respectively. Furthermore, the minimum response time is 43 ms at a frequency range of 1-2.5 Hz in different postures, and the stability is verified over 10,000 cycles. In practical measurements, the designed FIPS showed excellent recognition abilities for various gaits and different bending degrees of fingers. This work provides a novel strategy to improve the flexible pressure sensor, and demonstrates an attractive potential in terms of human health and motion monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiliang Mu
- Science and Technology on Electronic Test and Measurement Laboratory, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (S.X.); (J.Y.); (J.Z.); (J.S.); (Z.L.); (X.H.); (X.C.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jian He
- Science and Technology on Electronic Test and Measurement Laboratory, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (S.X.); (J.Y.); (J.Z.); (J.S.); (Z.L.); (X.H.); (X.C.)
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7
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Li S, Zhang R, Zhang G, Shuai L, Chang W, Hu X, Zou M, Zhou X, An B, Qian D, Liu Z. Microfluidic manipulation by spiral hollow-fibre actuators. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1331. [PMID: 35288561 PMCID: PMC8921237 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29088-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A microfluidic manipulation system that can sense a liquid and control its flow is highly desirable. However, conventional sensors and motors have difficulty fitting the limited space in microfluidic devices; moreover, fast sensing and actuation are required because of the fast liquid flow in the hollow fibre. In this study, fast torsional and tensile actuators were developed using hollow fibres employing spiral nonlinear stress, which can sense the fluid temperature and sort the fluid into the desired vessels. The fluid-driven actuation exhibited a highly increased response speed (27 times as fast as that of air-driven actuation) and increased power density (90 times that of an air-driven solid fibre actuator). A 0.5 K fluid temperature fluctuation produced a 20° rotation of the hollow fibre. These high performances originated from increments in both heat transfer and the average bias angle, which was understood through theoretical analysis. This work provides a new design strategy for intelligent microfluidics and inspiration for soft robots and smart devices for biological, optical, or magnetic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Guanghao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Luyizheng Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Wang Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Min Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Baigang An
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan, 114051, China
| | - Dong Qian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Zunfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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Kargar SM, Hao G. An Atlas of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters in Oceanic Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:1949. [PMID: 35271095 PMCID: PMC8914662 DOI: 10.3390/s22051949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, a large number of sensors are employed in the oceans to collect data for further analysis, which leads to a large number of demands for battery elimination in electronics due to the size reduction, environmental issues, and its laborious, pricy, and time-consuming recharge or replacement. Numerous methods for direct energy harvesting have been developed to power these low-power consumption sensors. Among all the developed harvesters, piezoelectric energy harvesters offer the most promise for eliminating batteries from future devices. These devices do not require maintenance, and they have compact and simple structures that can be attached to low-power devices to directly generate high-density power. In the present study, an atlas of 85 designs of piezoelectric energy harvesters in oceanic applications that have recently been reported in the state-of-the-art is provided. The atlas categorizes these designs based on their configurations, including cantilever beam, diaphragm, stacked, and cymbal configurations, and provides insightful information on their material, coupling modes, location, and power range. A set of unified schematics are drawn to show their working principles in this atlas. Moreover, all the concepts in the atlas are critically discussed in the body of this review. Different aspects of oceanic piezoelectric energy harvesters are also discussed in detail to address the challenges in the field and identify the research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangbo Hao
- School of Engineering and Architecture, University College Cork, T12K8AF Cork, Ireland;
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9
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Piezoresistive Conductive Microfluidic Membranes for Low-Cost On-Chip Pressure and Flow Sensing. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22041489. [PMID: 35214391 PMCID: PMC8879421 DOI: 10.3390/s22041489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the field of microfluidics has received significant attention from both academia and industry. Each year, researchers report thousands of new prototype devices for use in a broad range of environmental, pharmaceutical, and biomedical engineering applications. While lab-on-a-chip fabrication costs have continued to decrease, the hardware required for monitoring fluid flows within the microfluidic devices themselves remains expensive and often cost-prohibitive for researchers interested in starting a microfluidics project. As microfluidic devices become capable of handling complex fluidic systems, low-cost, precise, and real-time pressure and flow rate measurement capabilities have become increasingly important. While many labs use commercial platforms and sensors, these solutions can often cost thousands of dollars and can be too bulky for on-chip use. Here we present a new inexpensive and easy-to-use piezoresistive pressure and flow sensor that can be easily integrated into existing on-chip microfluidic channels. The sensor consists of PDMS–carbon black conductive membranes and uses an impedance analyzer to measure impedance changes due to fluid pressure. The sensor costs several orders of magnitude less than existing commercial platforms and can monitor local fluid pressures and calculate flow rates based on the pressure gradient.
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10
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Dong J, Fan FR, Tian ZQ. Droplet-based nanogenerators for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:17290-17309. [PMID: 34647553 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05386h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The energy crisis is a continuing topic for all human beings, threatening the development of human society. Accordingly, harvesting energy from the surrounding environment, such as wind, water flow and solar power, has become a promising direction for the research community. Water contains tremendous energy in a variety of forms, such as rivers, ocean waves, tides, and raindrops. Among them, raindrop energy is the most abundant. Raindrop energy not only can complement other forms of energy, such as solar energy, but also have potential applications in wearable and universal energy collectors. Over the past few years, droplet-based electricity nanogenerators (DENG) have attracted significant attention due to their advantages of small size and high power. To date, a variety of fundamental materials and ingenious structural designs have been proposed to achieve efficient droplet-based energy harvesting. The research and application of DENG in various fields have received widespread attention. In this review, we focus on the fundamental mechanism and recent progress of droplet-based nanogenerators in the following three aspects: droplet properties, energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. Finally, some challenges and further outlook for droplet-based nanogenerators are discussed to boost the future development of this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Tan Kah Kee Innovation Laboratory, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Feng Ru Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Tan Kah Kee Innovation Laboratory, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Zhong-Qun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Tan Kah Kee Innovation Laboratory, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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11
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Sun Y, Liu Y, Zheng Y, Li Z, Fan J, Wang L, Liu X, Liu J, Shou W. Enhanced Energy Harvesting Ability of ZnO/PAN Hybrid Piezoelectric Nanogenerators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:54936-54945. [PMID: 33216535 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c14490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Miniaturization of energy conversion and storage devices has attracted remarkable consideration in the application of wearable electronics. Compared with film-based flexible electronics, fiber-based wearable electronics (e.g., nanogenerators and sensors made from electrospun nanofibers) are more appealing and promising for wearables. However, there are two bottlenecks, a low power output and poor sensing capability, limiting the application of piezoelectric nanofibers. Herein, we integrated zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) to a less known piezoelectric polymer, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber, forming a ZnO/PAN nanofabric, which significantly improved the pressure sensitivity and vibrational energy harvesting ability by about 2.7 times compared with those of the pristine PAN nanofiber, and the maximum output power density of ∼10.8 mW·m-2 is achieved. Noteworthily, the ZnO/PAN nanofabric showed a power output about twice of the one made of ZnO and polyvinylidene fluoride. It was revealed that the integration of ZnO NRs clearly improved the planar zigzag conformation in microstructures of the PAN nanofiber. Further, successful demonstrations of a mechanically robust pressure sensor and wearable power source confirm the potential applications in human activity monitoring and personal thermal management, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yide Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Zongjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Jie Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Xuqing Liu
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Jian Liu
- School of Textiles, Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology, 495 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Wan Shou
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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12
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Jiang J, Tu S, Fu R, Li J, Hu F, Yan B, Gu Y, Chen S. Flexible Piezoelectric Pressure Tactile Sensor Based on Electrospun BaTiO 3/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanocomposite Membrane. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:33989-33998. [PMID: 32610011 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c08560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based piezoelectric materials are promising candidates for sensors, transducers, and actuators, due to several distinctive characteristics such as good flexibility, easy processability, and high mechanical resistance. In the present work, PVDF-based nanocomposites loaded with BaTiO3 nanoparticles (NPs) of various weight fractions were prepared by the electrospinning technique and used for the fabrication of a flexible piezoelectric pressure tactile sensor (PPTS). The addition (5, 10, and 20 wt %) of piezoelectric BaTiO3 NPs improves the piezoelectric performance, especially the β phase crystals of PVDF/BaTiO3 (10 wt %) nanocomposites that can reach 91.0%. In addition, the mechanical strength of PVDF/BaTiO3 nanocomposites is up to 26.7 MPa, which is an increase of 66% compared to neat PVDF. It should be emphasized that the elongation at break continuously increases from 71% to 153% with increasing BaTiO3 NPs. More importantly, the PPTS (piezoelectric pressure tactile sensor) with the combination of electrospun PVDF/BaTiO3 nanocomposite membranes and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) displays excellent flexibility and linear response to external mechanical force. The flexible PPTS devices capable of detecting different music sounds have potential uses in wide fields, such as voice recognition, speech therapy, and ultrasound imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory, College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chendu 610065, China
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1 Québec, Canada
| | - Shijian Tu
- Zhonghao Chenguang Research Institute of Chemistry Industry, Fushun 643201, China
| | - Runfang Fu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University-Clayton, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jingjing Li
- Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory, College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chendu 610065, China
| | - Fei Hu
- Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory, College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chendu 610065, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory, College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chendu 610065, China
| | - Yingchun Gu
- Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory, College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chendu 610065, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Functional Polymer Materials Laboratory, College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chendu 610065, China
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Atif R, Khaliq J, Combrinck M, Hassanin AH, Shehata N, Elnabawy E, Shyha I. Solution Blow Spinning of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Based Fibers for Energy Harvesting Applications: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1304. [PMID: 32517387 PMCID: PMC7362018 DOI: 10.3390/polym12061304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based piezoelectric materials (PEMs) have found extensive applications in energy harvesting which are being extended consistently to diverse fields requiring strenuous service conditions. Hence, there is a pressing need to mass produce PVDF-based PEMs with the highest possible energy harvesting ability under a given set of conditions. To achieve high yield and efficiency, solution blow spinning (SBS) technique is attracting a lot of interest due to its operational simplicity and high throughput. SBS is arguably still in its infancy when the objective is to mass produce high efficiency PVDF-based PEMs. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the critical parameters regarding design and processing of SBS is essential. The key objective of this review is to critically analyze the key aspects of SBS to produce high efficiency PVDF-based PEMs. As piezoelectric properties of neat PVDF are not intrinsically much significant, various additives are commonly incorporated to enhance its piezoelectricity. Therefore, PVDF-based copolymers and nanocomposites are also included in this review. We discuss both theoretical and experimental results regarding SBS process parameters such as solvents, dissolution methods, feed rate, viscosity, air pressure and velocity, and nozzle design. Morphological features and mechanical properties of PVDF-based nanofibers were also discussed and important applications have been presented. For completeness, key findings from electrospinning were also included. At the end, some insights are given to better direct the efforts in the field of PVDF-based PEMs using SBS technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasheed Atif
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (J.K.); (M.C.); (I.S.)
| | - Jibran Khaliq
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (J.K.); (M.C.); (I.S.)
| | - Madeleine Combrinck
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (J.K.); (M.C.); (I.S.)
| | - Ahmed H. Hassanin
- Center of Smart Nanotechnology and Photonics (CSNP), Smart CI Research Center, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt; (A.H.H.); (N.S.); (E.E.)
- Department of Textile Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
| | - Nader Shehata
- Center of Smart Nanotechnology and Photonics (CSNP), Smart CI Research Center, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt; (A.H.H.); (N.S.); (E.E.)
- Department of Engineering Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
- USTAR Bioinnovations Center, Faculty of Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84341, USA
- Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST), Doha District 13133, Kuwait
| | - Eman Elnabawy
- Center of Smart Nanotechnology and Photonics (CSNP), Smart CI Research Center, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt; (A.H.H.); (N.S.); (E.E.)
| | - Islam Shyha
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (J.K.); (M.C.); (I.S.)
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14
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Atif R, Combrinck M, Khaliq J, Hassanin AH, Shehata N, Elnabawy E, Shyha I. Solution Blow Spinning of High-Performance Submicron Polyvinylidene Fluoride Fibres: Computational Fluid Mechanics Modelling and Experimental Results. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12051140. [PMID: 32429457 PMCID: PMC7284647 DOI: 10.3390/polym12051140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to investigate characteristics of high-speed air as it is expelled from a solution blow spinning (SBS) nozzle using a k-ε turbulence model. Air velocity, pressure, temperature, turbulent kinetic energy and density contours were generated and analysed in order to achieve an optimal attenuation force for fibre production. A bespoke convergent nozzle was used to produce polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibres at air pressures between 1 and 5 bar. The nozzle comprised of four parts: a polymer solution syringe holder, an air inlet, an air chamber, and a cap that covers the air chamber. A custom-built SBS setup was used to produce PVDF submicron fibres which were consequently analysed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) for their morphological features. Both theoretical and experimental observations showed that a higher air pressure (4 bar) is more suitable to achieve thin fibres of PVDF. However, fibre diameter increased at 5 bar and intertwined ropes of fibres were also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasheed Atif
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (M.C.); (J.K.); (I.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-191-227-3062
| | - Madeleine Combrinck
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (M.C.); (J.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Jibran Khaliq
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (M.C.); (J.K.); (I.S.)
| | - Ahmed H. Hassanin
- Centre of Smart Nanotechnology and Photonics (CSNP), SmartCI Research Center, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt; (A.H.H.); (N.S.); (E.E.)
- Department of Textile Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
| | - Nader Shehata
- Centre of Smart Nanotechnology and Photonics (CSNP), SmartCI Research Center, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt; (A.H.H.); (N.S.); (E.E.)
- Department of Engineering Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
- USTAR Bioinnovations Centre, Faculty of Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84341, USA
- Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST), Doha District 13133, Kuwait
| | - Eman Elnabawy
- Centre of Smart Nanotechnology and Photonics (CSNP), SmartCI Research Center, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt; (A.H.H.); (N.S.); (E.E.)
| | - Islam Shyha
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; (M.C.); (J.K.); (I.S.)
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15
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Yi N, Cui H, Zhang LG, Cheng H. Integration of biological systems with electronic-mechanical assemblies. Acta Biomater 2019; 95:91-111. [PMID: 31004844 PMCID: PMC6710161 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biological systems continuously interact with the surrounding environment because they are dynamically evolving. The interaction is achieved through mechanical, electrical, chemical, biological, thermal, optical, or a synergistic combination of these cues. To provide a fundamental understanding of the interaction, recent efforts that integrate biological systems with the electronic-mechanical assemblies create unique opportunities for simultaneous monitoring and eliciting the responses to the biological system. Recent innovations in materials, fabrication processes, and device integration approaches have created the enablers to yield bio-integrated devices to interface with the biological system, ranging from cells and tissues to organs and living individual. In this short review, we will provide a brief overview of the recent development on the integration of the biological systems with electronic-mechanical assemblies across multiple scales, with applications ranging from healthcare monitoring to therapeutic options such as drug delivery and rehabilitation therapies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: An overview of the recent progress on the integration of the biological system with both electronic and mechanical assemblies is discussed. The integration creates the unique opportunity to simultaneously monitor and elicit the responses to the biological system, which provides a fundamental understanding of the interaction between the biological system and the electronic-mechanical assemblies. Recent innovations in materials, fabrication processes, and device integration approaches have created the enablers to yield bio-integrated devices to interface with the biological system, ranging from cells and tissues to organs and living individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Yi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Haitao Cui
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Lijie Grace Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Huanyu Cheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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16
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Kim JS, Kim EH, Park C, Kim G, Jeong B, Kim KL, Lee SW, Hwang I, Han H, Lee S, Shim W, Huh J, Park C. Sensing and memorising liquids with polarity-interactive ferroelectric sound. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3575. [PMID: 31395876 PMCID: PMC6687823 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11478-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The direct sensing and storing of the information of liquids with different polarities are of significant interest, in particular, through means related to human senses for emerging biomedical applications. Here, we present an interactive platform capable of sensing and storing the information of liquids. Our platform utilises sound arising from liquid-interactive ferroelectric actuation, which is dependent upon the polarity of the liquid. Liquid-interactive sound is developed when a liquid is placed on a ferroelectric polymer layer across two in-plane electrodes under an alternating current field. As the sound is correlated with non-volatile remnant polarisation of the ferroelectric layer, the information is stored and retrieved after the liquid is removed, resulting in a sensing memory of the liquid. Our pad-type allows for identifying the position of a liquid. Flexible tube-type devices offer a route for in situ analysis of flowing liquids including a human serum liquid in terms of sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Sung Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui Hyuk Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanho Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwangmook Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Beomjin Jeong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Lib Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Won Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ihn Hwang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyowon Han
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokyeong Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooyoung Shim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - June Huh
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheolmin Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Gavoille T, Pannacci N, Bergeot G, Marliere C, Marre S. Microfluidic approaches for accessing thermophysical properties of fluid systems. REACT CHEM ENG 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9re00130a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thermophysical properties of fluid systems under high pressure and high temperature conditions are highly desirable as they are used in many industrial processes both from a chemical engineering point of view and to push forward the development of modeling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Gavoille
- IFP Energies nouvelles
- 92852 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex
- France
- CNRS
- Univ. Bordeaux
| | | | | | | | - Samuel Marre
- CNRS
- Univ. Bordeaux
- Bordeaux INP
- ICMCB
- F-33600 Pessac
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18
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Guo W, Tan C, Shi K, Li J, Wang XX, Sun B, Huang X, Long YZ, Jiang P. Wireless piezoelectric devices based on electrospun PVDF/BaTiO 3 NW nanocomposite fibers for human motion monitoring. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:17751-17760. [PMID: 30211423 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr05292a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Real-time personalized motion monitoring and analysis are important for human health. Thus, to satisfy the needs in this area and the ever-increasing demand for wearable electronics, we design and develop a wireless piezoelectric device consisting of a piezoelectric pressure sensor based on electrospun PVDF/BaTiO3 nanowire (NW) nanocomposite fibers and a wireless circuit system integrated with a data conversion control module, a signal acquisition and amplification module, and a Bluetooth module. Finally, real-time piezoelectric signals of human motion can be displayed by an App on an Android mobile phone for wireless monitoring and analysis. This wireless piezoelectric device is proven to be sensitive to human motion such as squatting up and down, walking, and running. The results indicate that our wireless piezoelectric device has potential applications in wearable medical electronics, particularly in the fields of rehabilitation and sports medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhe Guo
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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Tzeng BB, Sun YS. Design and Fabrication of a Microfluidic Viscometer Based on Electrofluidic Circuits. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:mi9080375. [PMID: 30424308 PMCID: PMC6187613 DOI: 10.3390/mi9080375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports a microfluidic viscometer based on electrofluidic circuits for measuring viscosities of liquid samples. The developed micro-device consists of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer for electrofluidic circuits, a thin PDMS membrane, another PDMS layer for sample pretreatment, and a glass substrate. As the sample flows inside the microfluidic channel, its viscosity causes flow resistance and a pressure drop along this channel. This pressure drop, in turn, generates a hydraulic pressure which deforms the PDMS membrane, causing changes in the cross-sectional area and the electrical resistance of the electrofluidic resistor. This small resistance change is then measured via the electrofluidic Wheatstone bridge to relate the measured voltage difference to the fluidic viscosity. The performance of this viscometer was first tested by flowing nitrogen gas with controllable pressures into the device. The relationship between measured voltage difference and input gas pressure was analyzed to be linear in the pressure range of 0–15 psi. Another test using pure water indicated good linearity between measured voltage difference and flow rate in the rate range of 20–100 μL/min. Viscosities of glycerol/water solutions with volume/volume (v/v) concentrations ranging from 0 to 30% were measured, and these values were close to those obtained using commercially available viscometers. In addition, the sample-pretreatment layer can be used to mix and/or dilute liquid samples to desired concentrations. Therefore, this microfluidic device has potential for measurements of fluidic viscosity in a fast, accurate, and high-throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Bi Tzeng
- Department of Physics, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Yung-Shin Sun
- Department of Physics, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
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