Magnetoelectrical Clothing Generator for High‐Performance Transduction from Biomechanical Energy to Electricity

TLDR

Electromagnetism has been used to harvest energy from human motion, but most approaches require rigid, heavy setups, limiting wearable device integration. The study demonstrates a scalable, flexible magnetoelectrical clothing generator that harvests electricity from arm swinging. The generator is fabricated by a particle flow spinning method that produces continuous magnetic yarns woven into low‑cost, large‑scale magnetic fabrics. The magnetic fabrics and conductive wires integrated on the armpits produce stable 14.3 V peak voltage, 31.2 mA peak current, and 96 mW peak power (3197 mW m⁻²), operate under water, acidic/alkaline, and extreme temperatures, and can power LEDs, calculators, wireless communication, and health monitoring devices.

Abstract

Abstract Electromagnetism, which has been used to harvest energy from human motion, is expected to power an increasing number of wearable electronic devices upon fabrics. However, most reported electromagnetism‐based approaches necessitate rigid and heavy setups. Here, a scalable‐manufactured flexible magnetoelectrical clothing generator is demonstrated that can generate electricity through the swinging of the arms. A “particle flow spinning” (PFS) method can produce continuous magnetic yarns, resulting in a magnetic fabric through an industrial weaving machine. Fabrics can be prepared in large quantities and have a lower cost. The magnetic fabrics and conductive wires are built on two sides of the armpit parts of the clothing, leading to continuous and stable voltage and current when swinging arm, 14.3 V peak voltage, 31.2 mA peak current, and 96 mW peak power (3197 mW m −2 peak power density) in series to a low‐impedance load (750 ohms). Furthermore, the magnetic fabrics can work under water without sealing treatment, in acidic/alkaline environments or at extreme temperatures. The magnetoelectrical clothing generator can power diverse electronic devices in many fields, such as LED lights, calculators, wireless communication, and health monitoring devices. This approach opens a path toward exploring electromagnetic energy harvesting strategies to realize power generation for the development of clothing electronics.