Magnetoelectric Core–Shell Nanoparticle–Based Wearable Hybrid Energy Harvesters for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In this work, a novel barium titanate–coated cobalt ferrite core–shell magnetoelectric nanoparticle and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate–based wearable energy‐harvesting patch for wireless power‐transfer applications are proposed. The developed flexible patch has unique ease of fabrication and high‐efficiency energy conversion capability from the magnetic field and mechanical motion to the electric field as compared to bulk or thin‐film‐based devices. This unique power‐transfer capability of this device is achieved due to the crystalline nature of fabricated nanoparticles, which is confirmed using X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. This wearable patch can generate a high voltage of 560 mV when exposed to a 40 μT alternating magnetic field at the resonance frequency of 48.6 kHz. The hybrid mode of electric power generation is achieved by coupling bodily motion with the remotely applied alternating magnetic field (40 μT), which results in the generation of a higher electric potential of 860 mV and maximum power density of 0.458 mW cm−3 across a 10 kΩ load. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient is recorded as 1300 mV cm−1 Oe−1. The flexible nature and hybrid operation of the proposed device make it an efficient alternative for powering a wide range of wearable medical electronic devices.