Composite-based piezoelectric devices are extensively studied to develop sustainable power supply and selfpowered devices owing to their excellent mechanical durability and output performance. In this study, we design a leadfree piezoelectric nanocomposite utilizing (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BCTZ) nanomaterials for realizing highly flexible energy harvesters. To improve the output performance of the devices, we incorporate porous BCTZ nanowires (NWs) into the nanoparticle (NP)-based piezoelectric nanocomposite. BCTZ NPs and NWs are synthesized through the solidstate reaction and sol-gel-based electrospinning, respectively; subsequently, they are dispersed inside a polyimide matrix. The output performance of the energy harvesters is measured using an optimized measurement system during repetitive mechanical deformation by varying the composition of the NPs and NWs. A nanocomposite-based energy harvester with 4:1 weight ratio generates the maximum open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of 0.83 V and 0.28 A, respectively. In this study, self-powered devices are constructed with enhanced output performance by using piezoelectric energy harvesting for application in flexible and wearable devices.

Piezoelectric technology, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, has recently attracted drawn considerable attention in the industry. Among the many kinds of piezoelectric materials, BaTiO3 nanotube arrays, which have outstanding uniformity and anisotropic orientation compared to nanowire-based arrays, can be fabricated using a simple synthesis process. In this study, we developed a flexible piezoelectric energy harvester (f-PEH) based on a composite film with PVDF-coated BaTiO3 nanotube arrays through sequential anodization and hydrothermal synthesis processes. The f-PEH fabricated using the piezoelectric composite film exhibited excellent piezoelectric performance and high flexibility compared to the previously reported BaTiO3 nanotube array-based energy harvester. These results demonstrate the possibility for widely application with high performance by our advanced f-PEH technique based on BaTiO3 nanotube arrays.

Thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting, which converts available thermal resources into electrical energy, is attracting significant attention, as it facilitates wireless and self-powered electronics. Recently, as demand for portable/wearable electronic devices and sensors increases, organic-inorganic TE films with polymeric matrix are being studied to realize flexible thermoelectric energy harvesters (f-TEHs). Here, we developed flexible organic-inorganic TE films with p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 powder and polymeric matrices such as poly(3,4-eethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The fabricated TE films with a PEDOT:PSS matrix and 1 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) exhibited a power factor value of 3.96 μW ‧ m-1 ‧ K-2 which is about 2.8 times higher than that of PVDF-based TE film. We also fabricated f-TEHs using both types of TE films and investigated the TE output performance. The f-TEH made of PEDOT:PSS-based TE films harvested the maximum load voltage of 3.4 mV, with a load current of 17.4 μA, and output power of 15.7 nW at a temperature difference of 25 K, whereas the f-TEH with PVDF-based TE films generated values of 0.6 mV, 3.3 μA, and 0.54 nW. This study will broaden the fields of the research on methods to improve TE efficiency and the development of flexible organic-inorganic TE films and f-TEH.

Piezoelectric composite films which are enabled by inorganic piezoelectric nanomaterials-embedded polymer, have attracted enormous attention as a sustainable power source for low powered electronics, because of their ease of fabrication and flexible nature. However, the absorption of applied stress by the soft polymeric matrices is a major issue that must be solved to expand the fields of piezoelectric composite applications. Herein, a flexible and porous piezoelectric composite (piezoelectric sponge) comprised of BaTiO3 nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane was developed using template method to enhance the energy conversion efficiency by minimizing the stress that vanishes into the polymer matrix. In the porous structure, effective stress transfer can occur between the piezoelectric active materials in compression mode due to direct contact between the ceramic particles embedded in the pore-polymer interface. The piezoelectric sponge with 30 wt% of BaTiO3 particles generated an open-circuit voltage of ~12 V and a short-circuit current of ~150 nA. A finite element method-based simulation was conducted to theoretically back up that the piezoelectric output performance was effectively improved by introducing the sponge structure. Furthermore, to demonstrate the feasibility of pressure detecting applications using the BaTiO3 particles-embedded piezoelectric sponge, the composite was arranged in a 3 × 3 array and integrated into a single pressure sensor. The fabricated sensor array successfully detected the shape of the applied pressure. This work can provide a cost-effective, biocompatible, and structural strategy for realizing piezoelectric composite-based energy harvesters and self-powered sensors with improved energy conversion efficiency

A flexible piezoelectric energy harvester(f-PEH) that converts tiny mechanical and vibrational energy resources into electric signals without any restraints is drawing attention as a self-powered source to operate flexible electronic systems. In particular, the nanocomposites-based f-PEHs fabricated by a simple and low-cost spin-coating method show a mechanically stable and high output performance compared to only piezoelectric polymers or perovskite thin films. Here, the non-piezoelectric polymer matrix of the nanocomposite-based f-PEH is replaced by a P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric polymer to improve the output performance generated from the f-PEH. The piezoelectric hybrid nanocomposite is produced by distributing the perovskite PZT nanoparticles inside the piezoelectric elastomer; subsequently, the piezoelectric hybrid material is spin-coated onto a thin metal substrate to achieve a nanocomposite-based f-PEH. A fabricated energy device after a two-step poling process shows a maximum output voltage of 9.4 V and a current of 160 nA under repeated mechanical bending. Finite element analysis(FEA) simulation results support the experimental results.

본 연구에서는 녹말(starch)과 poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN)으로 이루어진 가지형 공중합체 기반의 슈퍼 캐퍼시터용 전해질막을 손쉽게 제조하는 방법을 제시하였다. 가지형 공중합체(starch-g-PAN)는 세륨 이온에 의해 개시된 자유 라디칼 중합을 통해 합성되었다. 실온에서 어떠한 유기용매 없이 Starch-g-PAN 고분자를 이온성 액체, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMIM DCA)에 용해하였으며 1시간 동안 100°C의 고온을 가해줌으로써 손쉽게 고분자 막을 만들었다. 제조된 막은 유연하여 플렉서블 고체 슈퍼 캐퍼시터의 전해질에 적용되었다. Starch-g-PAN 기반의 고분자 전해질막을 사용한 슈퍼 캐퍼시터는 0.5 A/g의 전류 밀도에서 약 21 F/g의 정전용량을 가졌으며 10,000 사이클 동안 86%의 유지율을 보이며 높은 주기 안정성을 보였다. 본 연구를 통해 starch-g-PAN 기반의 고분자 전해질막이 우수한 성능을 가진 플렉서블 고체 슈퍼 캐퍼시터에 응용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

Quantum dots (QDs) are an attractive material for application in solar energy conversion devices because of their unique properties including facile band-gap tuning, a high-absorption coefficient, low-cost processing, and the potential multiple exciton generation effect. Recently, highly efficient quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) have been developed based on CdSe, PbS, CdS, and Cu-In-Se QDs. However, for the commercialization and wide application of these QDSCs, replacing the conventional rigid glass substrates with flexible substrates is required. Here, we demonstrate flexible CISe QDSCs based on vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube (NT) electrodes. The highly uniform TiO2 NT electrodes are prepared by two-step anodic oxidation. Using these flexible photoanodes and semi-transparent Pt counter electrodes, we fabricate the QDSCs and examine their photovoltaic properties. In particular, photovoltaic performances are optimized by controlling the nanostructure of TiO2 NT electrodes

Nitrogen is a serious contaminant in natural gas because it decreases the energy density. The natural gas specification in South Korea requires a N2 content of less than 1 mol%. Thus, cost-effective N2 removal technology from natural gas is necessary, but until now the only option has been energy-intensive processes, e.g., cryogenic distillation. Using porous materials for the removal process would be beneficial for an efficient separation of CH4/N2 mixtures, but this still remains one of the challenges in modern separation technology due to the very similar size of the components. Among various porous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) present a promising candidate for the potential CH4/N2 separation material due to their unique structural flexibility. A MIL-53(Al), the most well-known flexible metal-organic framework, creates dynamic changes with closed pore (cp) transitions to open pores (ops), also called the ‘breathing’ phenomenon. We demonstrate the separation performance of CH4/N2 mixtures of MIL-53(Al) and its derivative MIL-53-NH2. The CH4/N2 selectivity of MIL- 53-NH2 is higher than pristine MIL-53(Al), suggesting a stronger CH4 interaction with NH2.

Recent developments in the field of energy harvesting technology that convert ambient energy resources into electricity enable the use of self-powered energy systems in wearable and portable electronic devices without the need for additional external power sources. In particular, piezoelectric-effect-based flexible energy harvesters have drawn much attention because they can guarantee power generation from ubiquitous mechanical and vibrational movements. In response to demand for sustainable, permanent, and remote use of real-life personal electronics, many research groups have investigated flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f-PEHs) that employ nanoscaled piezoelectric materials such as nanowires, nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanotubes. In those attempts, they have proven the feasibility of energy harvesting from tiny periodic mechanical deformations and energy utilization of f-PEH in commercial electronic devices. This review paper provides a brief overview of f-PEH devices based on piezoelectric nanomaterials and summarizes the development history, output performance, and applications.

이산화탄소(CO2)는 천연 가스, 바이오 가스, 매립 가스의 성분으로 존재할 뿐만 아니라 화석연료의 주요 연소 생성물로써 온실 가스의 주범이다. 특히 내연기관의 연료 고효율을 얻고, 가스 수송시스템의 부식을 방지하며, 기후변화에 선제적으로 대응하기 위해서는 이산화탄소(CO2)의 저감 또는 제거 기술이 필수적이다. 지난 수십 년간, 멤브레인 기반 기술의 구성 및 설계 단순성에 의하여 관련 연구가 많이 이루어져 왔으며 많은 발전을 이루었다. 최근 들어, 기존 멤브레인 기반 분리 뿐만 아니라, 새로운 흡착제 기반 분리 기술 등에 대한 관심도 높아지고 있다. 특히, 최근 각광받고 있는 유기-금속 골격체 (Metal Organic Frameworks, MOFs)의 경우, 일반 다공질 흡착제와는 다른 독특한 성질(Flexibility, Gating effect 또는 Open Metal Sites 등)로 인하여, 이를 활용한 다양한 기체 분리 연구가 늘어나고 있는 추세이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 대표적 플렉 서블한 물질인 MIL-53(Al)과 강한 결합에너지 site를 다수 보유한 대표적 MOF 물질인 MOF-74(Ni)를 활용하여 온도 및 압력에 따른 이산화탄소 메탄 분리 성능 비교 분석하였으며, 각 물질의 특성별 압력 및 온도에 따라 변화하는 적정 분리 구간을 제시하였다.

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is one of the most important cathode materials used in both aqueous and non-aqueous batteries. The MnO2 polymorph that is used for lithium primary batteries is synthesized either by electrolytic (EMD-MnO2) or chemical methods (CMD-MnO2). Commonly, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) is used as a cathode mixture material for dry-cell batteries, such as a alkaline batteries, zinc-carbon batteries, rechargeable alkaline batteries, etc. The characteristics of lithium/manganese-dioxide primary cells fabricated with EMD-MnO2 powders as cathode were compared as a function of the parameters of a manufacturing process. The flexible primary cells were prepared with EMD-MnO2, active carbon, and poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder (10 wt.%) coated on an Al foil substrate. A cathode sheet with micro-porous showed a higher discharge capacity than a cathode sheet compacted by a press process. As the amount of EMD-MnO2 increased, the electrical conductivity decreased and the electrical capacity increased. The cell subjected to heat-treatment at 200˚C for 1 hr showed a high discharge capacity. The flexible primary cell made using the optimum conditions showed a capacity and an average voltage of 220 mAh/g and 2.8 V, respectively, at 437.5μA.

Changes in surface morphology and roughness of dc sputtered ZnO:Al/Ag back reflectors by varying the deposition temperature and their influence on the performance of flexible silicon thin film solar cells were systematically investigated. By increasing the deposition temperature from 25˚C to 500˚C, the grain size of Ag thin films increased from 100 nm to 1000 nm and the grain size distribution became irregular, which resulted in an increment of surface roughness from 6.6 nm to 46.6 nm. Even after the 100 nm thick ZnO:Al film deposition, the surface morphology and roughness of the ZnO:Al/Ag double structured back reflectors were the same as those of the Ag layers, meaning that the ZnO:Al films were deposited conformally on the Ag films without unnecessary changes in the surfacefeatures. The diffused reflectance of the back reflectors improved significantly with the increasing grain size and surface roughness of the Ag films, and in particular, an enhanced diffused reflectance in the long wavelength over 800 nm was observed in the Ag back reflectors deposited at 500˚C, which had an irregular grain size distribution of 200-1000 nm and large surface roughness. The improved light scattering properties on the rough ZnO:Al/Ag back reflector surfaces led to an increase of light trapping in the solar cells, and this resulted in a noticeable improvement in the Jsc values from 9.94 mA/cm2 for the flat Ag back reflector at 25˚C to 13.36 mA/cm2 for the rough one at 500˚C. A conversion efficiency of 7.60% (Voc = 0.93, Jsc = 13.36 mA/cm2, FF = 61%) was achieved in the flexible silicon thin film solar cells at this moment.

2000년대 사회 전반적으로 의료, 건강, 인포테인먼트 등 다양한 분야에서 플렉서블 디스플레이가 확대될 것으로 보여지며, 향후 전자기기 디자인 융합기술, 인포테인먼트 및 게임디자인 융합기술, 산업 및 군사 디자인 융합기술 등에 적용된 사례개 발 또한 급속도로 이루어질 것으로 예상된다. 특히, 스마트기기의 형태가 ‘소지’에서 ‘착용’형태로 확정되어가는 시점에서 등장한 플렉서블 디스플레이 기기는 관련 산업분야별 신시장 창출과 미래 신성장 동력엔진의 먹거리, 차세대 일자리 창출 의 필요성으로 당면하고 있는 국가적 난제를 해결하기 위한 가장 훌륭한 대안으로 인정받고 있다. 본 연구는 이러한 관점 에서 플렉서블 디스플레이 신시장 창출을 위한 차세대사용자의 의식을 조사, 분석하여 향후의 플렉서블 디스플레이 R&D 기술과 디자인 융합연구 개발의 방향성 탐색의 단초 및 그 흐름을 제시하는데 그 배경과 목적이 있다. 연구의 방법 및 범위는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 국내외 플렉서블 디스플레이 관련 연구동향과 기대효과를 파악하고 예측하기 위하여 관련 선행연구 및 이론적 고찰 을 행한다. 둘째, 플렉서블 디스플레이 디바이스에 대한 미래의 주사용자 즉, 차세대 집단의 의식조사 분석을 통한 태도연구를 실시하 여 미래형 플렉서블 디스플레이 디바이스 시장에 대한 선도적 개발 방향과 시스템 구축에 필요한 향후의 실증적 자료로 활 용한다. 구체적으로 웨어러블 디바이스의 차세대 의식조사 연구는 SAS 9.3 Chi-square & Fisher's Exact test 설문응답의 기술통계로서, 신뢰성과 타당성을 갖는 설문조사를 위해서 조사계획, 설문지, 표본추출, 본 조사, 자료입력, 자료 분석 등의 전 과정에서 가장 적절한 통계적 방법인 크론바흐 기법 을 이용한 신뢰도의 통계적 유의성을 분석하여 확인하였다. 셋째, 설문대상은 플렉서블 디스플레이 디바이스의 차세대 주 사용자인 수도권 20대 대학생 80명을 대상으로 일대일 심층 면접 형태로 조사되었으며 설문항목은 정보 이해도, 관심도, 흥미욕구 정도, 구매욕구 정도, 구매용도, 구매요인, 구매부위, 비구매 요인, 구매 시 보완요인, 보완요인 해결 시 최종 구매의사 등이다. 연구결과 및 결론은 다음과 같다. 플렉서블 디스플레이 디바이스에 대한 정보 이해도, 관심도, 흥미욕구 정도, 구매욕구 정 도, 구매용도, 구매요인, 구매부위, 비구매 요인, 구매 시 보완요인, 보완요인 해결 시 최종 구매의사 등 문항에서는 남녀 구분 없이 긍정적인 응답이 통계적으로 유의하였고 각 문항 간 신뢰도 또한 높게 나타났다. 문항 간 상관관계 또한 독립적 이지 않고 연관이 있음이 입증되었으며 또 주사용자인 차세대 집단의 플렉서블 디스플레이 디바이스 비구매시 가장 중요한 요인은 가격과 디자인, 인터페이스, 기능 등 특히, 가격으로 확인되어 이에 대한 해결책이 필요한 것으로 보인다.