• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2018

The importance of energy harvesting technique is increasing due to the elevated level of demand for sustainable power sources for wearable device applications. In this study, we developed an Energy Harvesting wearable Platform(EH-P) architecture which is used in the design of a multi-energy source based on TENG. The proposed switching circuit produces power with higher current at lower voltage from energy harvesting sources with lower current at higher voltage. This can powers microcontrollers for a short period of time by using PV and TENG complementarily placed under hard conditions for the sources such as indoors. As a result, the whole interface circuit is completely self-powered with this makes it possible to run of sensing on a Wearable device platform. It was possible to increase the wearable device life time by supplying more than 29% of the power consumption to wearable devices. The results presented in this paper show the potential of multi-energy harvesting platform for use in wearable harvesting applications, provide a means of choosing the energy harvesting source.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1224-1239
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• 2020

This study develops a wearable solar energy harvesting device that absorbs solar energy to generate and store power which can be used during outdoor activities by users even after dark. For this study, a prototype hat for outdoor activities at night was developed after the design of a solar energy harvesting generation, storage, and delivery system was designed that could store energy to light up LEDs. First, the main control board of the system was designed to integrate the charging function, the darkness detection circuit, the battery voltage sensing circuit, and the LED driving circuit in order to reduce bulkiness and minimize the connection structure. It was designed to increase convenience. Second, the system was designed as a wearable fashion product that connected each part with fiber bands and manufacturing it so as to be detachable from the hat. Third, charging and LED operation tests show that the battery is fully charged after 5 hours even in winter when the illuminance value is low. In addition, the LED operation experiment verified the effectiveness of a buffered system that could operate the LEDs for about 3 hours at night.

• Ceramist
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2019

Wearable electronic devices with batteries must be lightweight, flexible and highly durable. Most importantly, the battery should be able to self-generate to operate the devices without having to be too frequently charged externally. An eco-friendly energy harvesting technology from various sources, such as solar energy, electromagnetic energy and wind energy, has been developed for a self-charging flexible battery. Although the energy harvesting from such sources are often unstable according to the surrounding environment, the energy harvesting from body movements and vibrations has been less affected by the surrounding environment. In this regard, flexible piezoelectric modules are the most attractive solution for this issue, because they convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and harvest energy from the human body motions. Among the various flexible piezoelectric modules, piezoelectric nanofibers have advantages when used as an energy harvester in wearable devices, due to their simple manufacturing process with good applicability to polymers and ceramics. This review focused on diverse flexible piezoelectric nanofibers and discusses their applications as various energy harvesting systems.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.66-69
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• 2017

In recent year, energy harvesting technologies from the ambient environments such as light, motion, wireless waves, and temperature again a lot of attraction form research community [1-5] due to its efficient solution in order to substitute for conventional power delivery methods, especially in wearable together with on-body applications. The drawbacks of battery-powered characteristic used in commodity applications lead to self-powered, long-lifetime circuit design. Thermoelectric generator, a solid-state sensor, is useful compared to the harvesting devices in order to enable self-sustained low-power applications. TEG based on the Seebeck effect is utilized to transfer thermal energy which is available with a temperature gradient into useful electrical energy. Depending on the temperature difference between two sides, amount of output power will be proportionally delivered. In this work, we illustrated a low-input voltage energy harvesting circuit applied discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) method for getting an adequate amount of energy from thermoelectric generator (TEG) for a specific wearable application. With a small temperature gradient harvested from human skin, the input voltage from the transducer is as low as 60mV, the proposed circuit, fabricated in a $0.6{\mu}m$ CMOS process, is capable of generating a regulated output voltage of 4.2V with an output power reaching to $40{\mu}W$. The proposed circuit is useful for powering energy to battery-less systems, such as wearable application devices.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.119-128
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• 2022

This study analyzes the effects of the number of angles and bends on resistance in a conductor-embroidered stitch circuit for efficient power transfer through a conductor of wearable energy harvesting to study changes in power lost through connection with actual solar panels. In this study, the angle of the conductive stitch circuit was designed in units of 30˚, from 30˚ to 180˚, and the resistance was measured using an analog Discovery 2 device. The measured resistance value was analyzed, and in the section of the angle where the resistance value rapidly changes, it was measured again and analyzed in units of 5˚. Following this, from the results of the analysis, the angle at which the tension was applied to the stitch converges was analyzed, and the resistance was measured again by varying the number of bends of the stitch at the given angle. The resistance decreases as the angle of the stitch decreases and the number of bends increases, and the conductor embroidery stitch can reduce the loss of power by 1.61 times relative to general embroidery. These results suggest that the stitching of embroidery has a significant effect on the power transfer in the transmission through the conductors of wearable energy harvesting. These results indicate the need for a follow-up study to develop a conductor circuit design technology that compares and analyzes various types of stitches, such as curved stitches, and the number of conductors, so that wearable energy harvesting can be more efficiently produced and stored.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1093-1100
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• 2018

Fast progress in miniaturization and reducing power consumption of semiconductors for wearable devices makes it possible to develop extremely small wearable systems for various application services. This results recent wearable applications to be powered from extremely low-power energy harvesters based on solar, piezo, and TENG sources. In most cases, the harvesters generate power in non-linear manner. Therefore, we implemented and experimented the device platforms to utilize natural frequency of around 3Hz. We also designed two-stage power storages and high efficiency conversion platform to consider such non-linear power harvesting sources. The experiment showed power generation of about 4.67mW/min from these non-linear sources with provision of stable energy storages.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2022

Recent advancement of Internet of Things (IoT) and energy harvesting technology enable realization of flexible thermoelectric energy harvester (f-TEH), with technological prowess for use in biomedical monitoring system integrated applications. To expand a flexible thermoelectric energy harvesting platform, the f-TEH must be required for optimized flexible thermoelectric materials and device structure. In response to these demands related to thermoelectric energy harvesting, many research groups have investigated various f-TEHs applied as a power source for wearable electronics. As a key member of the f-TEH, film-based f-TEHs possess significant applicability in research to realize self-powered wearable electronics, owing to their excellent flexibility, low thermal conductivity, and convenient fabrication process. Thus, based on the rapid growth of thermoelectric film technology, this review aims to overview comprehensively the f-TEH made of various inorganic/organic thermoelectric materials including developed fabrication methods, high thermoelectric performance, and wide-range applications.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.263-272
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• 2018

Recent developments in the field of energy harvesting technology that convert ambient energy resources into electricity enable the use of self-powered energy systems in wearable and portable electronic devices without the need for additional external power sources. In particular, piezoelectric-effect-based flexible energy harvesters have drawn much attention because they can guarantee power generation from ubiquitous mechanical and vibrational movements. In response to demand for sustainable, permanent, and remote use of real-life personal electronics, many research groups have investigated flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f-PEHs) that employ nanoscaled piezoelectric materials such as nanowires, nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanotubes. In those attempts, they have proven the feasibility of energy harvesting from tiny periodic mechanical deformations and energy utilization of f-PEH in commercial electronic devices. This review paper provides a brief overview of f-PEH devices based on piezoelectric nanomaterials and summarizes the development history, output performance, and applications.

• Vacuum Magazine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.17-20
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• 2016

Piezoelectric nanogenerators are energy harvesting device to convert a mechanical energy into an electric energy using nanostructured piezoelectric materials. This review summarizes works to date on piezoelectric nanogenerators, starting with a basic theory of piezoelectricity and working mechanism, and moving through the reports of numerous nanogenerators using nanorod arrays, flexible substrates and alternative materials. A sufficient power generated from nanogenerators suggests feasible applications for either power supplies or strain sensors of highly integratedl nano devices. Further development of nanogenerators holds promise for the development of self-powered implantable and wearable electronics.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.151-158
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• 2021

In this paper, we analyzed the latest research trends, challenges, and potential applications of next-generation solar cell materials in various industrial fields. In addition, future prospects and possibilities of Smart Textile Hybrid Energy Harvesting Devices that will supply electricity by combining with wearable IoT devices are presented. The hybrid textile energy harvesting device fused next-generation solar cells with tribo-piezoelectric devices will develop into new 'Convergence Integrated Smart Wear' by combining the material itself with wearable IoT devices in the era of the 4th industrial revolution. The next-generation nanotechnology and devices proposed in this paper will be applied to the field of smart textile with an energy harvesting function. And we hope it will be a paradigm shift that evolves into creative products which provide AI services such as medical & healthcare by convergence with the future smart wear industry.