Ultrasound-Driven Two-Dimensional Ti₃C₂T MXene Hydrogel Generator

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• Ultrasound energy is an underutilized ambient source.
• Existing implantable ultrasound energy harvesters have limitations.
• A novel approach is needed for efficient energy conversion in biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate an implantable generator for converting ultrasound power into electric energy.
• To explore the electroacoustic streaming vibration potential for energy harvesting.
• To enhance generator performance through triboelectrification coupling.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a tissue-mimicking MXene-hydrogel (M-gel) generator.
• Utilizing the streaming vibration potential phenomenon for energy conversion.
• Coupling with triboelectrification to improve output power.
• Testing the generator's ability to charge devices through biological tissue (beef).

Main Results:

• The M-gel generator successfully converted ultrasound energy into electric power.
• The generator demonstrated efficient energy harvesting from various ultrasound sources.
• Performance was validated by charging electronic devices through a centimeter of beef.
• The simple encapsulated M-gel structure proved effective.

Conclusions:

• The MXene-hydrogel generator offers a promising, simple solution for implantable ultrasound energy harvesting.
• This technology can power biomedical devices by converting ambient ultrasound into usable electricity.
• The M-gel generator shows potential for diverse applications in medical and household ultrasound devices.