Bioinspired Energy Storage and Harvesting Devices

Abstract

Knowledge learned from nature demonstrates that system performance can be enhanced and optimized by hierarchical structural design which has dramatically expanded implications for synthetic materials, from design to implementation. In recent years, numerous bioinspired and biomimetic strategies are devoted to design energy storage and harvesting devices. For these devices, efficient and stable electrode/electrolyte interfaces, modified interactions, and new functions are desired, which remain a challenge to fully meet the requirement of the rapidly developed electronic industry. This review, taking lithium batteries, nanogenerators and solar cells as examples, provides a summary and discussion of how the bio‐inspired strategies can influence the electrode/device design and the corresponding interface interactions. By applying and learning from biological materials, natural hierarchical structure, surface topography, and biochemical process, enhanced performance and stability for energy devices can be achieved. Future research expectations in this field and energy management are also discussed.

Biomimicry in nanotechnology: a comprehensive review

“…Biological cells can also be an inspiration for energy generation. Different types of biological skin textures can aid in enhancing the absorption ability of solar cells and the movement of kelp can be an inspiration for triboelectric nanogenerators for harnessing ocean energy 52,53,[55][56][57][58][59][60][149][150][151][152] . All of these alternative energy-generating and harnessing sources aided by nature will greatly assist in meeting the huge energy demand of the future.…”

“…To collect energy from wave energy, inspiration from kelp, a marine seaweed, has enabled the design of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Using the conjunction of triboelectric and electrostatic induction effects, TNG can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy [55][56][57][58][59]152 . Kelp-inspired TENG is made of vertically free-standing polymer strips which could sway independently to cause a contact separation with the neighboring strips, with the vibration of TENG in water mimicking the gentle sway of kelp.…”

“…Using a conjunction of triboelectric and electrostatic induction effects, a TNG can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. [55][56][57][58][59]152 A kelp-inspired TENG is made of vertically free-standing polymer strips which could sway independently to cause a contact separation with the neighboring strips, with the vibration of a TENG in water mimicking the gentle sway of kelp. A single unit of a BITENG (bio-inspired TENG) provides an output short circuit current of about 10 mA and an open circuit voltage of 260 volts with a maximum power density of 25 mW cm −2 which is high enough to drive 60 LEDs.…”

Electrochemical Energy Harvesting Using Microbial Active Matter

“…Several designs of clean energy harvesters at small scales have been developed that rely on the usage of biocompatible and eco-friendly materials. Their ability to provide regulated power supply over a wide range opens opportunities for novel biomedical applications, sensing, , and energy storage. , It is important to mention at this point that recent years have witnessed major initiatives toward the development of bioinspired and biomimetic strategies for the fabrication of efficient energy storage and harvesting devices. − Biological materials, in general, have robust hierarchical structures that endow them with impressive transport and mechanical properties that may find important applications in fields ranging from flexible electronics to clean energy generation. Several research groups have developed sustainable approaches for energy conversion and storage utilizing various biological materials that could potentially be used as advanced electrode and integrated circuit materials. − Polymer electrolytes, obtained from sustainable resources and waste-derived products, have also been examined as substitutes for conventional liquid electrolytes owing to their excellent stability and conductivity properties. − Fabrication of flexible supercapacitors using biowaste-derived electrodes and electrolytes have also been reported by Haj et al, which has shown impressive mechanical durability and reliable electrochemical performance and are proposed to be suited for renewable energy storage applications .…”

From Mesoscopic Functionalization of Silk Fibroin to Smart Fiber Devices for Textile Electronics and Photonics

“…SF provides most characteristics and performances for application, while sericin proteins are hydrophilic and need be removed before using. Using artificial spinning technologies, such as wet spinning, dry spinning, microfluidic spinning, [22,23] electrospinning, and direct writing, smart silk fiber devices with specific functionalities, such as sensors, [3,24,20] actuators, [25] optical fibers, [26] luminous fibers, [27] and energy harvesters [28][29][30] can be developed, as shown in Figure 1.…”