Electrospining Machine: Self-powered flexible wearable wireless sensing for outdoor work heatstroke prevention and health monitoring

Background

On November 1, 2024, Team led by Associate Professor Xiao Xinqing from China Agricultural University published a new research paper in Chemical Engineering Journal (impact factor: 13.3), " Self-powered flexible wearable wireless sensing for outdoor work heatstroke prevention and health monitoring ". Important progress has been made in far-field electrospinning and flexible sensors.

Method

The researchers proposed and developed a self-powered flexible wearable wireless sensing system for heatstroke prevention and health monitoring (SWSM) for outdoor work. The SWSM consists of two parts. One part is a wearable heatstroke patch based on flexible wireless sensing (WPFS), which can continuously monitor the wearer's physiological indicators. The other part is a self-powered device based on solar energy (SPDS), which can generate milliampere current to power the WPFS. According to the wearer's physiological indicators, a heatstroke risk assessment equation can be established to assess the potential risk of heatstroke. Finally, the data is displayed on the Internet of Things (IoT) platform. The system is wireless, self-powered, flexible and wearable, and can be used for real-time prevention of heatstroke risks and health monitoring of outdoor workers.

Research innovation

Innovative SWSM structure: 

SWSM is attached to the forehead surface of a person and can fit the skin to monitor THO value, acceleration and angular velocity. These values are transmitted to the mobile phone via the Bluetooth module, allowing outdoor workers to understand their health status at any time.

figure 1. Overview of a SWSM.

High-performance Nanofiber Membrane cooling film PNCF: 

As a thermal management method for flexible wearable systems, ensuring stable operation of devices under high outdoor temperatures.

figure2. Optical characterization and thermal analysis of PNCF

Self-powered device based on solar energy (SPDS): 

SPDS provides long-term and stable energy supply for the equipment.

Flexible triboelectric nanogenerator B-TENG:

Using B-TENG to replace the rigid switch button in WPFS will not cause discomfort to the wearer during the mode adjustment of the patch.

Figure 3. Performance analysis of B-TENG.

This study demonstrates the great potential of far-field electrospinning in the field of flexible sensors, especially in the manufacture of physiological indicator monitoring with high sensitivity and durability, showing the potential for wide application in clinical and health monitoring fields.

link：https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894724079221