2024 IEEE 23rd International Conference on Micro and Miniature Power Systems, Self-Powered Sensors and Energy Autonomous Devices (PowerMEMS) • 2024
A Scalable and Flexible Twisted Yarn Biofluid-Activated Batteries for Energy Systems
Zinc ion batteryE-textileyarn electronics
Highlights
- Twisted stainless-steel yarn battery using zinc–carbon chemistry with carbon cathode and zinc anode coatings.
- Hydrophilic PVP separator with dissolved zinc acetate forms an aqueous polymer electrolyte and mitigates water evaporation.
- Simple syringe–nozzle coating and IR curing process enables scalable yarn fabrication.
- Initial open-circuit voltage about 1.056 V; energy capacity 12.9 μAh cm−2 (sweat) and 12.4 μAh cm−2 (urine) at 0.6 mA cm−2.
- Parallel connection increases capacity to 22.8 μAh cm−2; series connection yields ~1.97 V, demonstrating configurability for e-textiles.
Abstract
This paper reports the design, fabrication and characterisation of a yarn biofluid-activated battery. The proposed biocompatible energy storage devices were based on zinc–carbon battery chemistry and fabricated by twisting two pieces of stainless steel yarn together with carbon cathode and zinc anode coatings. The flexible yarn battery demonstrated a working voltage range between 0 and 1 V with an energy capacity of 12.9 μAh cm−2 after wetting with artificial sweat and 12.4 μAh cm−2 after wetting with artificial urine.
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