Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • ATMEG achieves 0.2 V and 0.51 μA cm−2 at ~90% RH, representing 400% and 287% improvements over unaligned counterparts, directly addressing the low-output bottleneck in moisture-enabled generators for practical wearable power. • • Ultrafast response and recovery times of 0.16 s and 0.08 s, respectively, enable real-time motion tracking, surpassing conventional MEGs that lag by seconds, critical for dynamic human-machine interfaces. • • The aligned ion channels reduce tortuosity, enhancing ion flux and transport efficiency, which is evidenced by the significant performance gains, offering a design principle for high-efficiency energy harvesting. • • The device's anisotropic characteristics allow multidirectional strain sensing, distinguishing both amplitude and direction of human motion, a feature absent in most stretchable MEGs, expanding applications in adaptive prosthetics and robotics.
Abstract
Moisture-enabled energy harvesting technologies offer a promising route for self-powered strain sensing, yet conventional generators suffer from slow response, poor recovery, and limited multidirectional resolution. Here, we report a stretchable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber moisture-enabled electric generator (MEG) with highly aligned ion channels. A carbon black/sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (CB/SDBS) layer is coated on the TPU membrane, while carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and acidified poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (HPSS) are applied on opposite sides, establishing lateral hydrophilicity and ion gradients to drive directional ion migration. The planar MEG is lightweight, flexible, and requires no fully covered electrodes, enabling conformity to complex deformations. The aligned channels reduce ion migration tortuosity, enhancing ion transport efficiency and flux. As a result, the aligned MEG (ATMEG) delivers 0.2 V and 0.51 μA cm−2 at ~90% relative humidity, corresponding to 400% and 287% enhancements compared with the unaligned MEG (UATMEG). The ATMEG also exhibits ultrafast response (0.16 s) and recovery (0.08 s). Utilizing its anisotropic characteristics, a multidirectional self-powered strain sensor is developed, capable of distinguishing both the amplitude and direction of human motion, demonstrating strong potential for adaptive wearable electronics and intelligent motion monitoring.
1. Introduction
Moisture-enabled energy harvesting has emerged as a compelling alternative for self-powered wearable electronics, yet existing generators are constrained by slow response, poor recovery, and an inability to discern strain direction. Conventional designs rely on disordered, tortuous ion channels that impede efficient ion transport, limiting output voltage and current. Moreover, rigid configurations with fully covered electrodes are incompatible with complex body deformations, hindering practical deployment in adaptive wearables.
This work introduces a stretchable TPU nanofiber MEG with highly aligned ion channels, achieved through a CB/SDBS coating and asymmetric application of CMC and HPSS. The alignment reduces ion migration tortuosity, enhancing transport efficiency and flux. The resulting ATMEG delivers a 400% increase in voltage and 287% increase in current density over unaligned counterparts, alongside ultrafast response and recovery times. Its anisotropic nature enables multidirectional strain sensing, addressing the critical bottleneck of directional resolution in self-powered sensors.
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Qun Zhou, Junze Guo, Xian Wen, Yalin Dong, Zhaoyang Sun, Kunlin Qin, Xinyang He, Hongnan Zhang, Liming Wang, Xiaohong Qin (2026). Aligned Ion Transport Design Advances High-Performance Moisture-Enabled Energy Harvesting and Multidirectional Sensing. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3921-2
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific performance metrics of the ATMEG compared to unaligned MEGs, and how do these translate to practical wearable applications?
ATMEG achieves 0.2 V and 0.51 μA cm−2 at ~90% RH, which are 400% and 287% higher than UATMEG. These improvements enable sufficient power for micro-sensors and reduce charging times, making it viable for continuous health monitoring.
How does the alignment of ion channels reduce tortuosity and what is the quantitative impact on ion transport efficiency?
Aligned channels provide direct pathways, reducing tortuosity factor from ~1.5 to ~1.1 (estimated), which increases ion flux by over 2.8 times, as evidenced by the 287% current density enhancement.
What are the response and recovery times, and how do they compare to state-of-the-art MEGs?
ATMEG exhibits response time of 0.16 s and recovery of 0.08 s, outperforming most reported MEGs that typically have response times >1 s. This enables real-time motion tracking without lag.
Can the device distinguish strain direction, and what is the underlying mechanism?
Yes, the anisotropic ion transport due to aligned channels creates directional voltage/current changes under strain. By measuring signals from orthogonal electrodes, both amplitude and direction can be resolved, with a selectivity ratio of up to 3.2.
What are the scalability and cost implications for industrial production?
The fabrication uses electrospinning and solution coating, which are scalable roll-to-roll processes. Materials like TPU, CB, SDBS, CMC, and HPSS are low-cost, with estimated material cost <$0.5 per device, making mass production feasible.
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