Piezoelectric-Augmented Thermoelectric Ionogels for Self-Powered Multimodal Medical Sensors

Abstract

A paradigm ionogel consisting of ionic liquid (IL) and PVDF−HFP composites is made, which inherently possesses dual-function ionic thermoelectric (iTE) and piezoelectric (PE) attributes. This study investigates an innovative “PE-enhanced iTEs” effect, wherein the ionic thermopower exhibits a 58% enhancement while the ionic conductivity arises more than 2× within a PE-induced internal electric field. By harnessing these multifaceted features, fully self-powered, multimodal sensors demonstrate their superior energy conversion capabilities, which possessed minimum sensitivities of 0.13 mV kPa⁻¹ and 0.96 mV K⁻¹ in pressure and temperature alterations, respectively. The PE augmentation of iTEs is maximized by ≈3× under rising water pressure. Their swift and sophisticated responses to various in vivo vital signs simultaneously in a hemorrhagic shock scenario, indicative of good prospects in the clinical medicine field are showcased.