The
application of supercapacitors for long-term energy storage
is largely limited by their self-discharge behavior. Finding an effective
approach to suppress self-discharge remains a great research challenge.
Herein, a porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane with a
piezoelectric effect is employed as supercapacitor separators for
reduced self-discharge. The PVDF membrane is prepared via a phase-inversion
method followed by polarization to induce piezoelectricity. Self-discharge
tests indicate that both open-circuit voltage (OCV) decay rate and
leakage current of the supercapacitors with piezoelectric PVDF separators
are reduced by more than 30% compared to those with nonpiezoelectric
separators. The much lower self-discharge rate can be attributed to
the impeded diffusion of electrolyte ions across the polarized PVDF
separators.
The wearable device industry is on the rise, with technology applications ranging from wireless communication technologies to the Internet of Things. However, most of the wearable sensors currently on the market are expensive, rigid and bulky, leading to poor data accuracy and uncomfortable wearing experiences. Near-field communication sensors are low-cost, easy-to-manufacture wireless communication technologies that are widely used in many fields, especially in the field of wearable electronic devices. The integration of wireless communication devices and sensors exhibits tremendous potential for these wearable applications by endowing sensors with new features of wireless signal transferring and conferring radio frequency identification or near-field communication devices with a sensing function. Likewise, the development of new materials and intensive research promotes the next generation of ultra-light and soft wearable devices for healthcare. This review begins with an introduction to the different components of near-field communication, with particular emphasis on the antenna design part of near-field communication. We summarize recent advances in different wearable areas of near-field communication sensors, including structural design, material selection, and the state of the art of scenario-based development. The challenges and opportunities relating to wearable near-field communication sensors for healthcare are also discussed.
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