Magnetically Driven Powerless Lighting Device with Kirigami Structured Magneto–Mechanoluminescence Composite

Abstract

The energy crisis and global shift toward sustainability drive the need for sustainable technologies that utilize often-wasted forms of energy. A multipurpose lighting device with a simplistic design that does not need electricity sources or conversions can be one such futuristic device. This study investigates the novel concept of a powerless lighting device driven by stray magnetic fields induced by power infrastructure for obstruction warning light systems. The device consists of mechanoluminescence (ML) composites of a Kirigami-shaped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, ZnS:Cu particles, and a magneto-mechano-vibration (MMV) cantilever beam. Finite element analysis and luminescence characterization of the Kirigami structured ML composites are discussed, including the stress-strain distribution map and comparisons between different Kirigami structures based on stretchability and ML characteristic trade-offs. By coupling a Kirigami-structured ML material and an MMV cantilever structure, a device that can generate visible light as luminescence from a magnetic field can be created. Significant factors that contribute to luminescence generation and intensity are identified and optimized. Furthermore, the feasibility of the device is demonstrated by placing it in a practical environment. This further proves the functionality of the device in harvesting weak magnetic fields into luminescence or light, without complicated electrical energy conversion steps.

On Sense and Deform: Molecular Luminescence for Mechanoscience

“…Schematic illustrations, ML outputs, and FEA simulation results of ML composite materials based on (a) slit microstructures and (b) Kirigami structures. (c) Schematics and photographs of switchable shape-morphing metasheets (reproduced with permissions from ref , copyright 2021 American Chemical Society, ref , copyright 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ref , copyright 2023 Springer Nature BV).…”

“…Song et al also incorporated the ML composite (ZnS:Cu in PDMS) into a “ Kirigami ” structure, a traditional Japanese paper-cutting technique gaining attention for its effective control of the stress/strain distribution. The candidate Kirigami structures were optimized based on finite-element analysis (FEA), and the magneto-mechano vibration generated from the combined titanium-based cantilever, driven at ∼4.4 Oe, was converted to photons (magneto-ML, Figure b), which is comparable to the magnetic noise emitted by electrical appliances . Such shape-morphing strategies, aimed at controlling both reversible and irreversible mechanical properties beyond compositions (e.g., switchable shape-morphing multistable sheets, Figure c), are commonly referred to as mechanical metamaterials designs.…”