Squeezing crystals and making waves: paving the way to self -powered electronics

Abstract

I have presented the use of nano-indentation to characterise in situ the voltage and current generation of piezoelectric thin films (Bhaskaran et al. 2011b; Nili et al. 2013). These findings provide fundamental insight into thin film properties and geometries which determine their efficiency for energy generation. This work presents the controlled observation of nanoscale piezoelectric voltage (~40 mV) and current generation (~200 pA), allowing accurate quantification and mapping of force function variations. The implications of these findings include the potential to generate power by application of pressure, enabling possibilities of charging portable devices by typing or pressing touch screen interfaces. Longer term implications include the possibility to harness pressure from biorhythms such as blood flow and respiration to power implantable sensors and devices (such as cardiac pacemakers).