Toward Low-Frequency Mechanical Energy Harvesting Using Energy-Dense Piezoelectrochemical Materials

The piezoelectrochemical coupling between mechanical stress and electrochemical potential is explored in the context of mechanical energy harvesting and shown to have promise in developing high-energy-density harvesters for low-frequency applications (e.g., human locomotion). This novel concept is demonstrated experimentally by cyclically compressing an off-the-shelf lithium-ion battery and measuring the generated electric power output.