Wearable self-powered biosensors

Wearable self-powered biosensors are devices that operate without an external electronic power source or onboard battery and that use a biorecognition detection element to relay sensing information. Such devices are becoming more widespread following the larger trend of more ubiquitous wearable devices in general. Self-powering can be a particularly important characteristic in situations where replacing/recharging a battery is either impossible or impractical. Most wearable self-powered biosensors rely primarily on enzymatic reactions to supply the energy required for operation, but there are also other innovative approaches that combine multiple signal transduction techniques to simultaneously provide power and produce a detection signal. Areas of needed research include developing higher power energy harvesting techniques and more wearable self-powered biosensor devices that have integrated low-power wireless electronics.