New technology for energy device that heals itself from damage incurred while generating electricity

A workforce led by Professor Lee Joo-hyuk of the Division of Vitality Engineering at DGIST has developed an ionic polyurethane-based triboelectric generator with self-healing, biodegradable, and excessive electro-positive properties. The work is published within the journal Nano Vitality.

The gadget has been designed as a inexperienced power gadget that may decrease the affect on the atmosphere by facilitating self-healing and biodegradability, whereas considerably enhancing energy output efficiency by means of using ionic liquid. Primarily based on these properties, it’s anticipated for use as a sustainable energy supply in next-generation tender digital gadgets and wearable gadgets.

In recent times, vital analysis has been carried out on using “triboelectric generators,” which convert kinetic energy into electrical power by means of friction, as a next-generation energy supply. For this goal, excessive sturdiness and secure energy manufacturing are important, and the gadget should have the ability to self-heal mechanical harm brought on by steady friction.

The gadget will display higher worth if, utilizing eco-friendly know-how, it may be decomposed with microorganisms and returned to nature after shedding its performance, minimizing hurt to the atmosphere.

Professor Lee’s workforce has developed a polyurethane-based triboelectric generator that can be utilized as an environmentally pleasant, next-generation power supply. The analysis workforce utilized imidazolium ions for self-healing features and excessive electro-positive properties, and polycaprolactone (PCL)-based polyurethane, for biodegradable “ionic polyurethane,” to develop a triboelectric generator.

Owing to its self-healing, biodegradable, and excessive electro-positive traits, the ionic polyurethane is extremely environment friendly in producing electrical energy and a sustainable energy supply for next-generation tender digital gadgets, which minimizes the affect on environmental air pollution.

The analysis workforce carried out a process to confirm the prevalence of the newly developed gadget.

By analyzing the facility output of the ionic polyurethane-based gadget underneath varied circumstances, they discovered that it generates a power density of as much as 436.8 mW/m² and has a self-healing effectivity of roughly 90%. In addition they discovered that after 300 days of biodegradation, solely about 21% of the preliminary mass of the gadget stays.

“Through this research, we have developed an efficient material that integrates self-healing and biodegradation functions, while maintaining high power output performance,” stated Prof. Lee Joo-hyuk from the Division of Vitality Science & Engineering, DGIST.

“This innovative technology can provide a sustainable power source for next-generation wearable devices, and in our follow-up research, we will endeavor to commercialize the technology.”

Supplied by
DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Know-how)