Created the world’s first liquid electret power supply

Japanese researchers have developed a liquid electret, able almost constantly to keep the static electricity. They then combined this material with soft electrodes to create the world’s first bendable and stretchable vibrating device.

This device is easily deformed and is able to transform a very weak vibration into electrical signals. Thus, it can be used to create special medical devices like a pacemaker with Autonomous power supply.

The system developed by the Japanese National Institute for materials science (National Institute for Materials Science, NIMS). The electret, is able to partially hold an electrical charge may generate a voltage when you change its distance to the respective electrode.

Because of this, the properties of electret materials may be applicable for the development of the vibrating (piezoelectric) devices and sensors, able to convert external vibration and pressure into electrical signals.

However, conventional electret – rigid, inflexible and unable to deform into complex shapes. This makes these materials unsuitable for use in the development of wearable sensors of heartbeat and pulse. Therefore, scientists are trying to develop bendable vibration device.

In NIMS has created a unique electret

NIMS research group has invented a porphyrin is an organic compound with a flexible structure, with the result that at room temperature is formed of liquid material, able to consistently hold a static charge.

The scientists then developed a device powered by vibration. First, the liquid material was high voltage, which allowed it to charge. Then the material was impregnated textile, is placed between soft polyurethane electrodes, integrated with silver fiber as a wiring harness.

When the surface of the device is pressed with a finger, it generates a voltage in the range from 100 to 200 mV and stable for at least 1.5 months. In the future, NIMS hopes to use the system not only in medicine but also in other areas.

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