Piezo is already sold as a variety of self-powered sensors, but there is more to come. It is reinvented as paint, as layers on integrated circuits and in microelectromechanical systems MEMS chips. New applications for lead-based ceramics in new formats are revealed, but polymer film comes centre stage.
New piezotronics means piezoelectric doubles as semiconductor. Piezo-phototronics takes that up a notch. Light modulation enhances performance of photocells, sensitivity of photodetectors, efficiency of an LED, even strain-controlled LED emission directly images force/pressure distribution on the device with micrometer-resolution. The resulting piezopotential gated diodes, strain sensors, and force/flow sensors revealed in the report promise to be invaluable in healthcare.
Where needed, one will even map of the pressure distribution on a surface. easy to integrate with photonic technologies for fast data transmission, processing and recording. Enable the development of highly intelligent human-machine interfaces? A major step towards on-chip recording of mechanical signals by optical means, yet another case of multi-functionality? Hospital pad, pillow and bolt sensors using piezos revealed in 2018 look promising, as do harvesters implanted on the heart.
The report also goes deeper into the operating modes, theory, chemistry, and electronics involved, even embracing routes to biodegradability.
It reveals inspiring examples of present and future piezoelectric harvesting and sensing in healthcare and draws lessons from this. The report profiles 13 organisations involved in researching, manufacturing and integrating harvesting and sensor piezoelectric devices and materials for healthcare.
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