A wireless battery-free eye modulation patch for high myopia therapy.

The proper axial length of the eye is crucial for achieving emmetropia. In this study, we present a wireless battery-free eye modulation patch designed to correct high myopia and prevent relapse. The patch consists of piezoelectric transducers, an electrochemical micro-actuator, a drug microneedle array, µ-LEDs, a flexible circuit, and biocompatible encapsulation. The system can be wirelessly powered and controlled using external ultrasound. The electrochemical micro-actuator plays a key role in precisely shortening the axial length by driving the posterior sclera inward. This ensures accurate scene imaging on the retina for myopia eye. The drug microneedle array delivers riboflavin to the posterior sclera, and µ-LEDs' blue light induces collagen cross-linking, reinforcing sclera strength. In vivo experiments demonstrate that the patch successfully reduces the rabbit eye's axial length by ~1217 µm and increases sclera strength by 387%. The system operates effectively within the body without the need for batteries. Here, we show that the patch offers a promising avenue for clinically treating high myopia.

One-wire reconfigurable and damage-tolerant sensor matrix inspired by the auditory tonotopy.

Sensor matrices are essential in various fields including robotics, aviation, health care, and industrial machinery. However, conventional sensor matrix systems often face challenges such as limited reconfigurability, complex wiring, and poor robustness. To address these issues, we introduce a one-wire reconfigurable sensor matrix that is capable of conforming to three-dimensional curved surfaces and resistant to cross-talk and fractures. Our frequency-located technology, inspired by the auditory tonotopy, reduces the number of output wires from row × column to a single wire by superimposing the signals of all sensor units with unique frequency identities. The sensor units are connected through a shared redundant network, giving great freedom for reconfiguration and facilitating quick repairs. The one-wire frequency-located technology is demonstrated in two applications-a pressure sensor matrix and a pressure-temperature multimodal sensor matrix. In addition, we also show its potential in monitoring strain distribution in an airplane wing, emphasizing its advantages in simplified wiring and improved robustness.

A self-powered sound-driven humidity sensor for wearable intelligent dehydration monitoring system.

Self-powered wearable sensing systems have attracted great attention for their application in continuous health monitoring, which can reveal real-time physiological information on the body. Here, an innovative self-powered sound-driven humidity sensor for wearable intelligent dehydration monitoring system has been proposed. The sensor is primarily comprised of PTFE membrane, ZnO nanoarrays and Ti thin film. The piezoelectric/triboelectric effect of ZnO nanoarrays/PTFE membrane is coupled with the humidity sensing process. Sound wave can drive PTFE membrane to vibrate, and the contact and separation between PTFE and ZnO can generate electrical signals through piezoelectric/triboelectric effect. At the same time, the surface of the nanostructures can absorb the water molecules, which will influence the electrical output of the device. The device can convert sound energy into electrical output without any external electricity power supply, and the outputting voltage decreases with increasing relative humidity, acting as the sensing signal. The sensor has been integrated with data processing unit and wireless transmission module to form a self-powered wearable intelligent dehydration monitoring system, which can actively monitor the humidity of exhaled breath and transmit the information to the mobile phone. The results can open a possible new direction for the development of sound-driven gas sensors and will further expand the scope for self-powered nanosystems.

A self-powered wearable brain-machine-interface system for real-time monitoring and regulating body temperature.

Heat stroke that may cause acute central nervous system dysfunction, multiple organ dysfunction and even death has become a typical health problem in tropical developing countries. The primary goal of heat stroke treatment is to lower core body temperature, which necessitates physical or medical cooling in time. Here, we design a new self-powered wearable brain-machine-interface system for real-time monitoring and regulating body temperature. This system can monitor body temperature in real time and transmit neural electrical stimulation signals into specific brain regions to lower the body temperature. The whole system can work without an external power supply and be powered by the body itself through the piezoelectric effect. The system comprises a temperature detecting unit, a power supply unit, a data processing module, and a brain stimulator. Demonstration of the system with stimulation electrodes implanted in the median preoptic nucleus brain region in mice reveals an evident decrease in body temperature (1.0 °C within 15 min). This self-powered strategy provides a new concept for future treatment of heat stroke and can extend the application of brain-machine-interface systems in medical care.

A self-powered wearable brain-machine-interface system for ceasing action.

A self-powered wearable brain-machine-interface system with pulse detection and brain stimulation for ceasing action has been realized. The system is composed of (1) a power supply unit that employs a piezoelectric generator and converts the mechanical energy of human daily activities into electricity; (2) a neck pulse biosensor that allows continuous measurements of carotid pulse by using a piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride film; (3) a data analysis module that enables a coordinated brain-machine-interface system to output brain stimulation signals; and (4) brain stimulating electrodes linked to the brain that implement behavioral intervention. Demonstration of the system with stimulating electrodes implanted in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in running mice reveals the great effect of forced ceasing action. The mice stop their running within several seconds when the stimulation signals are sent into the PAG brain region (inducing fear). This self-powered scheme for neural stimulation realizes specific behavioral intervention without any external power supply, thus providing a new concept for future behavior intervention.

Self-Powered Wearable Biosensor in a Baby Diaper for Monitoring Neonatal Jaundice through a Hydrovoltaic-Biosensing Coupling Effect of ZnO Nanoarray.

Neonatal jaundice refers to the abnormality of bilirubin metabolism for newborns, and wearable transcutaneous bilirubin meters for real-time measuring the bilirubin concentration is an insistent demand for the babies' parents and doctors. In this paper, a self-powered wearable biosensor in a baby diaper for real-time monitoring neonatal jaundice has been realized by the hydrovoltaic-biosensing coupling effect of ZnO nanoarray. Without external power supply, the system can work independently, and the hydrovoltaic output can be treated as both the power source and biosensing signal. The working mechanism is that the hydrovoltaic output arises from the urine flowing on ZnO nanoarray and the enzymatic reaction on the surface can influence the output. The sensing information can be transmitted through a wireless transmitter, and thus the parents and doctors can treat the neonatal jaundice of babies in time. This work can potentially promote the development of next generation of biosensors and physiological monitoring system, and expand the scope of self-powered technique and smart healthcare area.

A Self-Powered Wearable Motion Sensor for Monitoring Volleyball Skill and Building Big Sports Data.

A novel self-powered wearable motion sensor for monitoring the spiking gesture of volleyball athletes has been manufactured from piezoelectric PVDF film. The PVDF film can convert body mechanical energy into electricity through the piezoelectric effect, and the flexible device can be conformably attached on the hand or arm. The sensor can work independently without power supply and actively output piezoelectric signals as the sports information. The sensor can detect the tiny and fine motion of spiking movement in playing volleyball, reflecting the skill. Additionally, the sensor can also real-time monitor the pulse changes and language during a volleyball match. The self-powered sensors can link to a wireless transmitter for uploading the sports information and building big sports data. This work can provoke a new direction for real-time sports monitoring and promote the development of big sports data.