Pengcheng Zhu

Bio: Pengcheng Zhu is an academic researcher from Beihang University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thermoelectric effect & Thermoelectric generator. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 13 publications receiving 173 citations. Previous affiliations of Pengcheng Zhu include Zhengzhou University & University of Colorado Boulder.

Heterogeneous integration of rigid, soft, and liquid materials for self-healable, recyclable, and reconfigurable wearable electronics

Abstract: Wearable electronics can be integrated with the human body for monitoring physical activities and health conditions, for human-computer interfaces, and for virtual/augmented reality. We here report a multifunctional wearable electronic system that combines advances in materials, chemistry, and mechanics to enable superior stretchability, self-healability, recyclability, and reconfigurability. This electronic system heterogeneously integrates rigid, soft, and liquid materials through a low-cost fabrication method. The properties reported in this wearable electronic system can find applications in many areas, including health care, robotics, and prosthetics, and can benefit the well-being, economy, and sustainability of our society.

A flexible active dual-parameter sensor for sensitive temperature and physiological signal monitoring via integrating thermoelectric and piezoelectric conversion

Abstract: Flexible sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity to different external stimuli are highly desired in wearable electronics, especially those having more than one function. Here, we developed a flexible active dual-parameter sensor based on all organic piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) and thermoelectric polyaniline (PANI)-based composite films in a sandwiched structure, for sensitive temperature and physiological signal monitoring. Highly conductive PANI-based films working as electrodes resulted in higher electromechanical conversion than traditional metal electrodes. The functions of the device as a physiological signal active sensor were examined via human motion, including elbow bending, pronunciation, and artery pulse. The integration of high performance thermoelectric PANI-based films enabled the device to sense ambient temperature with high sensitivity (45.5 μV K−1) and a quick response (1.2 s). More importantly, a series of experiments proved that the device was capable of sensing temperature and tactile stimuli simultaneously without signal interference. Our work provided a promising prototype for an active dual-parameter sensor, which has great potential for application in wearable health-monitoring systems.

Progress in wearable electronics/photonics—Moving toward the era of artificial intelligence and internet of things

Abstract: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117608, Singapore Hybrid-Integrated Flexible (Stretchable) Electronic Systems Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117608, Singapore NUS Suzhou Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou, 215123, China NUS Graduate School for Integrative Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore

Thermoelectric Generators: Alternative Power Supply for Wearable Electrocardiographic Systems.

Abstract: Research interest in the development of real-time monitoring of personal health indicators using wearable electrocardiographic systems has intensified in recent years. New advanced thermoelectrics are potentially a key enabling technology that can be used to transform human body heat into power for use in wearable electrographic monitoring devices. This work provides a systematic review of the potential application of thermoelectric generators for use as power sources in wearable electrocardiographic monitoring systems. New strategies on miniaturized rigid thermoelectric modules combined with batteries or supercapacitors can provide adequate power supply for wearable electrocardiographic systems. Flexible thermoelectric generators can also support wearable electrocardiographic systems directly when a heat sink is incorporated into the design in order to enlarge and stabilize the temperature gradient. Recent advances in enhancing the performance of novel fiber/fabric based flexible thermoelectrics has opened up an exciting direction for the development of wearable electrocardiographic systems.

Power generation for wearable systems

Abstract: Wearable devices are drawing increasing attention in both academia and industry in that they can offer unprecedented information related to human health in real-time and human–machine interactions, which is expected to enable a paradigm shift in the digital world. For this shift to occur, green and sustainable energy technology for powering flexible wearable devices is a roadblock. This paper is dedicated to reviewing cutting-edge wearable power generation methodologies, for which we discuss their pros and cons, underlying physics, and general design/evaluation criteria. Sensor types, materials, processing technology, power consumption, and methods of testing the stretchability and flexibility of wearable devices are also summarized. Based on application scenarios in healthcare, industrial inspection, structural monitoring, armed forces and consumer electronics, an integrated system architecture of wearable, flexible systems is presented. Finally, future perspectives of wearable technologies are outlined by covering the aspects of all-in-one printable wearable electronics, fiber and textile electronics, self-powered self-awareness wearable systems, hybrid-integrated Systems on a Chip (SoC) for flexible electronics, and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled self-contained systems towards full life cycle monitoring.

3D Printed Flexible Strain Sensors: From Printing to Devices and Signals

Abstract: The revolutionary and pioneering advancements of flexible electronics provide the boundless potential to become one of the leading trends in the exploitation of wearable devices and electronic skin. Working as substantial intermediates for the collection of external mechanical signals, flexible strain sensors that get intensive attention are regarded as indispensable components in flexible integrated electronic systems. Compared with conventional preparation methods including complicated lithography and transfer printing, 3D printing technology is utilized to manufacture various flexible strain sensors owing to the low processing cost, superior fabrication accuracy, and satisfactory production efficiency. Herein, up-to-date flexible strain sensors fabricated via 3D printing are highlighted, focusing on different printing methods based on photocuring and materials extrusion, including Digital Light Processing (DLP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and direct ink writing (DIW). Sensing mechanisms of 3D printed strain sensors are also discussed. Furthermore, the existing bottlenecks and future prospects are provided for further progressing research.