Flexible ferroelectric wearable devices for medical applications

Zois Michail Tsikriteas; James I Roscow; Chris R Bowen; Hamideh Khanbareh

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2020.101987

Flexible ferroelectric wearable devices for medical applications

iScience. 2020 Dec 29;24(1):101987. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101987. eCollection 2021 Jan 22.

Authors

Zois Michail Tsikriteas¹, James I Roscow¹, Chris R Bowen¹, Hamideh Khanbareh¹

Affiliation

¹ Materials and Structures Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.

Abstract

Wearable electronics are becoming increasingly important for medical applications as they have revolutionized the way physiological parameters are monitored. Ferroelectric materials show spontaneous polarization below the Curie temperature, which changes with electric field, temperature, and mechanical deformation. Therefore, they have been widely used in sensor and actuator applications. In addition, these materials can be used for conversion of human-body energy into electricity for powering wearable electronics. In this paper, we review the recent advances in flexible ferroelectric materials for wearable human energy harvesting and sensing. To meet the performance requirements for medical applications, the most suitable materials and manufacturing techniques are reviewed. The approaches used to enhance performance and achieve long-term sustainability and multi-functionality by integrating other active sensing mechanisms (e.g. triboelectric and piezoresistive effects) are discussed. Data processing and transmission as well as the contribution of wearable piezoelectric devices in early disease detection and monitoring vital signs are reviewed.

Keywords: Biodevice; Electronic Materials; Energy Materials; Energy Resources; Medical Device.

Publication types

Review