A high-current hydrogel generator with engineered mechanoionic asymmetry.

ABSTRACT: Mechanoelectrical energy conversion is a potential solution for the power supply of miniaturized wearable and implantable systems; yet it remains challenging due to limited current output when exploiting low-frequency motions with soft devices. We report a design of a hydrogel generator with mechanoionic current generation amplified by orders of magnitudes with engineered structural and chemical asymmetry. Under compressive loading, relief structures in the hydrogel intensify net ion fluxes induced by deformation gradient, which synergize with asymmetric ion adsorption characteristics of the electrodes and distinct diffusivity of cations and anions in the hydrogel matrix. This engineered mechanoionic process can yield 4 mA (5.5 A m^-2) of peak current under cyclic compression of

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10876576 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature