Piezoelectrete

Benefit

With regard to the operation of electronic systems, batteries are indispensable to provide the supply energy. However, batteries have to be replaced regularly due to the limited service lifetime, so that not only increased costs but also greater environmental pollution through the disposal of used batteries are incurred. As result, energy self-sufficient systems are becoming increasingly important from both economic and ecological point of view. These systems convert ambient energy into electrical energy through energy harvesting and are able to use it for operation. In general, piezoelectric materials such as PZT or PVDF are used as generators for electromechanical energy conversion but they quickly reach their limits in terms of integration and application due to their material properties. Piezoelectrets have a high piezoelectric coefficient and are characterized by their flexibility - the properties of PZT or PVDF are thus distinctly surpassed.

Background and technology

Due to their light weight and high flexibility, piezoelectrets are ideal for integration in flexible materials such as textiles. Thus, integrated piezoelectrets in wearables can convert the kinetic energy of body movement into electrical energy and provide it for implementation of energy self-sufficient systems.

Added value

Wearable, energy self-sufficient systems will efficiently enhance the human-machine interaction in the course of "Internet of Things". By immediate measurement data acquisition on the human body, body signals or movements can be directly recognized and interpreted by networked machines. The continuous interaction and embedding of self-sufficient sensor systems in everyday life will be ensured by the application of piezoelectrets as generators.