Piezoelectric Biomaterials for Sensors and Actuators

Abstract

Recent advances in materials, manufacturing, biotechnology, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have fostered many exciting biosensors and bioactuators that are based on biocompatible piezoelectric materials. These biodevices can be safely integrated with biological systems for applications such as sensing biological forces, stimulating tissue growth and healing, as well as diagnosing medical problems. Herein, the principles, applications, future opportunities, and challenges of piezoelectric biomaterials for medical uses are reviewed thoroughly. Modern piezoelectric biosensors/bioactuators are developed with new materials and advanced methods in microfabrication/encapsulation to avoid the toxicity of conventional lead‐based piezoelectric materials. Intriguingly, some piezoelectric materials are biodegradable in nature, which eliminates the need for invasive implant extraction. Together, these advancements in the field of piezoelectric materials and microsystems can spark a new age in the field of medicine.

Ferroelectric Polymers Exhibiting Negative Longitudinal Piezoelectric Coefficient: Progress and Prospects

“…While the introduction of voids into polymers leads to formation of cellular and porous polymer electrets which may exhibit much higher d 33 values (>400 pC N −1 ) as summarized in recent reviews, we focus on the discussion on intrinsic bulk piezoelectric response in this progress report. Recent studies show that these polymers are ideal for flexible and biocompatible applications in energy harvesters, sensors, actuators, and so on . To foster these promising applications, it demands a large improvement of the modest piezoelectric coefficients of the polymers, which directly determines the efficiency of piezoelectric energy harvesting and the performance of sensors and actuators .…”

“…Recent studies show that these polymers are ideal for flexible and biocompatible applications in energy harvesters, sensors, actuators, and so on . To foster these promising applications, it demands a large improvement of the modest piezoelectric coefficients of the polymers, which directly determines the efficiency of piezoelectric energy harvesting and the performance of sensors and actuators . However, despite decades of intensive research, there is a lack of molecular approaches to improve the intrinsic piezoelectric responses of ferroelectric polymers.…”

“…To foster these promising applications, it demands a large improvement of the modest piezoelectric coefficients of the polymers, which directly determines the efficiency of piezoelectric energy harvesting and the performance of sensors and actuators. [18,20,21] However, despite decades of intensive research, there is a lack of molecular approaches to improve the intrinsic piezoelectric responses of ferroelectric polymers. Although the approaches by increasing the β phase (all-trans conformation) fraction and/ or crystallinity [35,36] have been popularly employed, some contrasting experimental results have been reported.…”

Ultrahigh‐Performance Self‐Powered Flexible Photodetector Driven from Photogating, Piezo‐Phototronic, and Ferroelectric Effects

“…The emergence of piezoelectric materials has been recently introduced to optoelectronics, creating unprecedented opportunities for device applications . Piezo‐phototronic effect, which causes interfacial band bending via piezoelectric materials, can modulate the interfacial carrier transport behavior at the interface .…”

“…The emergence of piezoelectric materials has been recently introduced to optoelectronics, creating unprecedented opportunities for device applications. [26][27][28] Piezo-phototronic effect, which causes interfacial band bending via piezoelectric materials, can modulate the interfacial carrier transport behavior at the interface. [29][30][31][32] Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) has been considered the ideal material for sensor applications in recent years due to its excellent piezoelectricity, high solubility, and easy processing.…”