Scalable nanomanufacturing and assembly of chiral-chain piezoelectric tellurium nanowires for wearable self-powered cardiovascular monitoring

The economically viable production of piezoelectric nanomaterials that can efficiently convert low-level mechanical signals into electrical power promises to revolutionize the emerging self-powered technologies in wearable sensors, consumer electronics, and defense applications. Here, we report the scalable nanomanufacturing and assembly of tellurium (Te) nanowires with chiral-chain structure into wearable piezoelectric devices, and explore the feasibility of such devices for self-powered sensing applications, e.g. cardiovascular monitoring. The ultrathin device can be conformably worn onto the human body, effectively converting the imperceptible time-variant mechanical vibration from the human body, e.g. radial artery pulse, into distinguishable electrical signals through straining the piezoelectric Te nanowires. We further uncover the process-structure-property relationships in designing, manufacturing, and integrating the Te nanowire piezoelectric devices. Our results suggest the potential of solution-synthesized Te nanowire as a new class of piezoelectric nanomaterial for self-powered devices and may lead to new opportunities in energy, electronics, and sensor applications.