Advances in Wearable Piezoelectric Sensors for Hazardous Workplace Environments

Abstract

Recent advances in wearable energy harvesting technology as solutions to occupational health and safety programs are presented. Workers are often exposed to harmful conditions-especially in the mining and construction industries-where chronic health issues can emerge over time. While wearable sensors technology can aid in early detection and long-term exposure tracking, powering them and the associated risks are often an impediment for their widespread use, such as the need for frequent charging and battery safety. Repetitive vibration exposure is one such hazard, e.g., whole body vibration, yet it can also provide parasitic energy that can be harvested to power wearable sensors and overcome the battery limitations. This review can critically analyze the vibration effect on workers' health, the limitations of currently available devices, explore new options for powering different personal protective equipment devices, and discuss opportunities and directions for future research. The recent progress in self-powered vibration sensors and systems from the perspective of the underlying materials, applications, and fabrication techniques is reviewed. Lastly, the challenges and perspectives are discussed for reference to the researchers who are interested in self-powered vibration sensors.

Perspectives on recent advancements in energy harvesting, sensing and bio-medical applications of piezoelectric gels

“…The usage of batteries can be challenging due to recycling and replacement issues as well as their short lifespan. 385,386 The concept of self-powered devices has significant advantages for the utilization of renewable energy sources, such as wind, waves, mechanical vibrations, breathing, blood flow, and other human-body movements. 387,388 Among various self-powered technologies, the most attractive portable devices and intelligent systems are based on piezoelectric hydrogels due to their combination of light-weight, high sensitivity, outstanding exceptional flexibility, skin-like mechanical characteristics and outstanding electrical properties.…”

Head-Integrated Detecting Method for Workers under Complex Construction Scenarios

“…Options for detecting workers include manual observation, biosensors [5,6], and vision-based inspections [7]. Manual observation involves hiring professional staff and Options for detecting workers include manual observation, biosensors [5,6], and vision-based inspections [7].…”

“…Options for detecting workers include manual observation, biosensors [5,6], and vision-based inspections [7]. Manual observation involves hiring professional staff and Options for detecting workers include manual observation, biosensors [5,6], and vision-based inspections [7]. Manual observation involves hiring professional staff and incurring the necessary labor costs, creating a system in which supervisors are competent in recognizing potential hazards [7], resulting in low efficiency and high costs.…”

Alkyl-C60 liquid electrets as deformable mechanoelectric generators

“…4 Self-powered wearable vibration sensors were also developed which analyse the vibration effect. 5 MEG devices are usually constructed with “electrets,” which have quasi-permanent electric charges or molecular dipoles. 6 Such MEGs are promising for diverse applications such as healthcare sensors and muscle-driven scavengers.…”