Near-Field Electrospun Piezoelectric Fibers as Sound-Sensing Elements

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Piezoelectric materials are crucial for energy harvesting and sensing applications.
• Electrospinning is a versatile technique for fabricating nanofibers with tunable properties.
• Developing self-powered sensors with high sensitivity and flexibility remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel intelligent self-powered sound-sensing element (ISSE).
• To utilize three-dimensional (3D) architectures of near-field electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nano-micro fibers (NMFs).
• To demonstrate the potential for harvesting sound wave energy and detecting subtle physiological vibrations.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D PVDF NMFs using near-field electrospinning.
• Integration of 3D PVDF NMFs into an ISSE device.
• Characterization of the piezoelectric output and sensing capabilities of the ISSE under various sound pressures and vibration frequencies.

Main Results:

• The 3D architecture significantly enhanced piezoelectric output, enabling sound wave energy harvesting (0.25 V at 120+ dB SPL).
• The ISSE could distinguishably detect simple throat vibrations (hum, cough, swallow) based on intensity and frequency.
• The developed ISSE is ultrathin, fabricated on flexible substrates with low cost, showcasing direct-write fabrication advantages.

Conclusions:

• The novel integration of 3D PVDF NMFs advances electrospinning technology for practical sensing applications.
• The developed ISSE offers a promising solution for self-powered acoustic sensing and vibration detection.
• Potential applications include voice control, wearable electronics, and implantable human wireless technology.