Summary:
Researchers have made significant strides in droplet microfluidics technology, enabling the production of polymer microspheres with a high electroactive (EA) phase, which is essential for developing piezoelectric devices for wearable applications. Traditional methods for creating these microspheres often resulted in irregular shapes and high energy consumption. The new approach, combining droplet microfluidics with off-chip thermal polymerization, allows for precise control over size and shape, achieving a uniformity that enhances performance. The team from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) engineered PVDF microspheres with an EA phase of approximately 82%, facilitated by artificial intelligence that optimized the microfluidics process. These advancements enable the creation of flexible piezoelectric devices capable of generating around 23V from body movements, making them suitable for self-powered wearable technology. This research, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, underscores the potential of integrating microfluidics, polymer science, and AI for innovative applications in the biomedical field and beyond.