Soft Magnetoelasticity for Mechanical Energy Harvesting

In the rapid evolution of modern healthcare, the fusion of bioelectronics with mechanical energy harvesting techniques marks a significant advancement. Wearable biosensors and implantable devices, which are vital for enhancing patient care, enable the continuous monitoring of physiological and biomechanical activities, paving the way for reduced healthcare costs and improved patient quality of life. At the forefront of this progress is soft magnetoelasticity, which offers a revolutionary method for powering wearable and implantable healthcare devices. This technology harnesses the giant magnetoelastic effect in soft magnetic elastomers to transform biomechanical energy directly into electricity, overcoming the limitations of traditional electromagnetic generators including inadequate response to biomechanical stress and a mismatch in mechanical moduli with human tissues. Soft magnetoelastic generators boast superior energy conversion efficiency and better compatibility with human tissue mechanics, which show remarkable potential in applications that span from real-time wearable health monitoring to the operation of implantable devices, all without the need for battery replacements. This review on soft magnetoelasticity, from its fundamental concepts to its cutting-edge applications, aims to highlight its transformative impact on bioelectronics and its crucial role in advancing wearable and implantable medical technologies towards sustainable and autonomous healthcare solutions.