Hydrogel-based Power Source Based on Salt Concentration Gradient
발표자
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초록
내용
As wearable device technology advances, there is a growing need to develop electrochemical energy devices that can provide energy to these portable electronics. However, many electrochemical energy devices reported generally use toxic materials that are fatal to the environment or human health. Electric eels in nature generate electricity from a concentration gradient of ions. Inspired by the electric eel`s energy generating system, we introduce a biocompatible power source device, which is based on eco-friendly polymer-based hydrogels. The device generates electricity through the concentration gradient of a salt in hydrogels. Instead of the ion pump, we adopt cation- and anion-selective hydrogel membranes to create a potential difference. We measure the open circuit potential and the short circuit current to evaluate its electrochemical performance. This power source presented could provide an important device concept for eco-friendly and biocompatible energy generation.