Self-Powered/Wireless-Powered Physical Sensors for Healthcare Applications

In the era of Internet-of-Things (IoT), the power supply remains a major challenge for widespread sensor deployment. While highly efficient solar cells and batteries are suitable for static and larger sensors, they may not be feasible for wearable sensing systems. To address this issue, alternative approaches such as self-powered or wireless-powered sensors have emerged. This presentation focuses on recently developed self-powered sensors, which harness solar energy or mechanical energy harvesting methods. Notably, piezo-transmittance pressure/strain sensors employing optically tunable structures and photovoltaic cells, along with those using triboelectric nanogenerators, will be discussed. Additionally, wireless-powered sensors utilizing near field communication (NFC) will be introduced. Specifically, we will explore NFC-powered sensors designed for real-time monitoring of patients' pressure/temperature/hydration levels on their skins.