• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.11 no.11
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 2021

In this paper, we analyzed the latest research trends, challenges, and potential applications of next-generation solar cell materials in various industrial fields. In addition, future prospects and possibilities of Smart Textile Hybrid Energy Harvesting Devices that will supply electricity by combining with wearable IoT devices are presented. The hybrid textile energy harvesting device fused next-generation solar cells with tribo-piezoelectric devices will develop into new 'Convergence Integrated Smart Wear' by combining the material itself with wearable IoT devices in the era of the 4th industrial revolution. The next-generation nanotechnology and devices proposed in this paper will be applied to the field of smart textile with an energy harvesting function. And we hope it will be a paradigm shift that evolves into creative products which provide AI services such as medical & healthcare by convergence with the future smart wear industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.1224-1239
• /
• 2020

This study develops a wearable solar energy harvesting device that absorbs solar energy to generate and store power which can be used during outdoor activities by users even after dark. For this study, a prototype hat for outdoor activities at night was developed after the design of a solar energy harvesting generation, storage, and delivery system was designed that could store energy to light up LEDs. First, the main control board of the system was designed to integrate the charging function, the darkness detection circuit, the battery voltage sensing circuit, and the LED driving circuit in order to reduce bulkiness and minimize the connection structure. It was designed to increase convenience. Second, the system was designed as a wearable fashion product that connected each part with fiber bands and manufacturing it so as to be detachable from the hat. Third, charging and LED operation tests show that the battery is fully charged after 5 hours even in winter when the illuminance value is low. In addition, the LED operation experiment verified the effectiveness of a buffered system that could operate the LEDs for about 3 hours at night.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.300-307
• /
• 2019

This study develops a user centered outdoor jacket capable of energy harvesting based on consumer needs. Jackets are designed for typical outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and climbing, integrated with an energy harvesting module that can generate electric power from arm swing in outdoor and daily life walking. Textile based energy generators developed by the previous research of Lee & Roh (2018) were used. A prototype was created based on the arm swing motion experiment for location options and energy harvesting system functions, the simulation by the design sketch, and evaluation of the wearing test by experts. In-depth interviews were later conducted for the prototype with 10 outdoor experts to derive the optimal location of an energy harvesting system in three ways, and the prototype was revised to 5 styles that reflected reviews by experts on function and appearance. Research indicated that the energy harvesting jacket design signifies a user-centered design based on expert interviews and usability evaluation as well as previous research on energy generation and storage device. The jacket is convenient because it combines an energy generator in an optimal position to maximize energy generation with a storage and charging device that can be inserted into various position options for accessibility.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.25-38
• /
• 2021

The aim of this study is to protect workers and pedestrians from accidents at night or bad weather by attaching optical fiber to existing safety clothing that is made only with fluorescent fabrics and retroreflective materials. A safety vest was designed and manufactured by applying optical fiber, and energy-harvesting technology was developed. The safety vest was designed to emit light using the automatic flashing of optical fibers attached to the film, and an energy harvester was manufactured and attached to drive the light emission of the optical fiber more continuously. As a result, first, the vest wearer' body was recognized from a distance through the optical fiber and retroreflection, which helped prevent accidents. Thus, this concept helps in saving lives by preventing accidents during night-time work on the roadside or activities of rescue crew and sports activities, or by quickly finding the point of an accident with a signal that changes the optical fiber light emission. Second, to use the wasted energy, a piezoelectric-element power generation system was developed and the piezoelectric-harvesting device was mounted. Potentially, energy was efficiently produced by activating the effective charging amount of the battery part and charging it auxiliary. In the existing safety vest, detecting the person wearing the vest is almost impossible in the absence of ambient light. However, in this study, the wearer could be found within 100 m by the light emission from the safety vest even with no ambient light. Therefore, in this study, we will help in preventing and reducing accidents by developing smart safety clothing using optical fiber and energy harvester attached to save lives.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.221-229
• /
• 2017

This study researched the needs of smart fashion items using energy harvesting for outdoor wearers and surveyed the application areas and design preferences for energy-harvesting systems based on outdoor activities. A total of 217 subjects were surveyed. Subjects who had at least 3 years of experience in outdoor activities were selected in order to increase the reliability of the research results. The survey investigated lifestyles based on outdoor activities, outdoor clothing and electronic equipment usage, purchase style, utilization plan, and design preference for energy-harvesting clothing and supplies. The results showed that 62.7% of the respondents had experience in outdoor activities for more than five years. 96.3% of the subjects carried electronic equipment, and 179 participants(82.5%) experienced discomfort due to battery consumption/dead batteries during outdoor activities. 78.4% were interested in smat fashion items using energy-harvesting technology, and the energy-conversion technology that was useful for outdoor activities was "kinetic energy"(74.7%). Participants showed a high preference for a detachable type(30.9%) and a city type(69.1%) that can be worn in outdoor activities as well as in general life. The preferred location of the electric power-charging device was the "Hem area of top garment"(35.9%), and the reason for this selection was that it was easy to operate and did not interfere with movement. The data from this paper can be used as a basis for product planning and product design for energy-harvesting apparel designers and supply developers for outdoor clothing.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.435-444
• /
• 2011

The development of ubiquitous healthcare technology and portable electronic devices requires new energy sources for providing continuous power supply. This study particularly focuses on an energy harvesting system capable of charging energy using clothing. One of the sources for energy harvesting is heat energy, which is the difference in temperature of the body and the surrounding environment. In this study, the skin temperature distribution of the human body was empirically measured to determine the basic materials needed to develop heat energy harvesting clothing. The distribution of skin temperature in different sections of the human body was analyzed. The analysis found that the skin temperature of the upper body was higher than that of the lower body. The area close to the heart with a lot of blood flow was especially high. The skin temperature of the back side of the body, such as the back of the neck, upper back, and waist, was higher than that of the front side of the body. As for the arms, the skin temperature of the upper arms was higher than that of the lower arms, and the skin temperature of the back side of the arms was lower than that of the front and the flank side of the arms. The difference in the average skin temperature and the environment temperature was highest at the back of the neck, and thereby is considered to be the most appropriate section to integrate the heat energy harvesting function and structure. The following sections had the next highest difference in values, listed in descending order: the back of the waist, the sides of shoulders, the front chest area, the front side of the upper arms, and the front abdomen. Based on the skin temperatures of the different sections of the human body, this study outlines the basic guidelines for developing heat energy harvesting clothing.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.280-287
• /
• 2021

Generating electricity by using water in many energy harvesting system is due to their simplicity, sustainability and eco-friendliness. Evaporation-driven moist-electric generators (EMEGs) are an emergent technology and show great potential for harvesting clean energy. In this study, we report a transpiration driven electro kinetic power generator (TEPG) that utilize capillary flow of water in an asymmetrically wetted cotton fabric coated with carbon black. When water droplets encounter this textile EMEG, the water flows spontaneously under capillary action without requiring an external power supply. First carbon black sonicated and dispersed well in three different solvent system such as dimethylformamide (DMF), sodiumdedecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS-anionic surfactant) and cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB-cationic surfactant). A knitted cotton/PET fabric was coated with carbon black by conventional pad method. Cotton/PET fabrics were immersed and stuttered well in these three different systems and then transferred to an autoclave at 120 ℃ for 15 minutes. Cotton/PET fabric treated with carbon black dispersed in DMF solvent generated maximum current up to 5 µA on a small piece of sample (2 µL/min of water can induce constant electric output for more than 286 hours). This study is high value for designing of electric generator to harvest clean energy constantly.