Tuning of biocompatible piezoelectric transducer material for enhanced energy harvesting using with optimised origami/kirigami techniques.

Piezoelectric materials, often termed 'smart materials' due to their capability to transduce mechanical stress into electrical charge, are critical for energy harvesting applications, particularly in wearable and flexible electronics. The efficient integration of these materials into wearable electronics hinges on optimizing the piezoelectric response under in-plane deformations typical of thin-film sensors. This study investigates how the geometry of patterned cuts—specifically the sharpness or roundedness of the cuts—affects the strain distribution and, consequently, the voltage output of a biocompatible piezoelectric material. We analyse, using numerical simulations of the origami/kirigami techniques, the impact of cut geometry and pattern density on the local stress concentrations and resulting electric potential. Our findings indicate that sharper-edged cuts induce higher localized stresses, leading to increased voltage output compared to more rounded geometries. We maneuver the sharpness and the density of cuts, simultaneously so as to find a sweet-spot between biocompatibility and power-density. These results provide a quantitative basis for the design of optimized piezoelectric transducers, which could significantly enhance the energy conversion efficiency in self-powered wearable devices. Such advancements are poised to transform wearable health technologies, enabling real-time, autonomous tracking of vital signs, movement, and early-stage disease markers.