Battery-free healthcare wearable powered by body heat

Editor's Note

In a first step toward battery-free wearable electronics, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a healthcare device powered by the patient's body heat.

According to an article published July 16 in MedicalXpress, the device combines a pulse oximetry sensor with a flexible, stretchable thermoelectric energy generator made from liquid metal, semiconductors, and 3D-printed rubber. As researchers detailed in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, it is designed for high mechanical and thermoelectric performance. Advancements in soft materials, thermoelectric generator (TEG) array design, low-energy circuit boards, and power management contribute to significant power density compared to previous iterations.

The device was tested on a participant's chest and wrist, both at rest and in motion. Results showed higher voltage output when worn on the wrist and during movement, due to the cooling effect from airflow and heating from increased body temperature, MedicalXpress reports. Next steps include further improving the device's electrical performance and exploring additive manufacturing techniques to transition from a proof of concept to a usable product.