Energy harvesting technology offers an innovative solution for providing self-sustaining power to wearable and implantable electronic devices. However, traditional energy harvesters face limitations in operating within electrolytic environments or at low motion speeds. To overcome these challenges, a mechano-electrochemical energy harvester using carbon nanotubes has been developed. This technology relies on electrochemical ion movement to induce changes in electrochemical double-layer capacitance, enabling operation within electrolytes and optimizing performance at low deformation speeds. This environmentally friendly and sustainable energy solution is expected to play a crucial role in the advancement of future smart systems and wearable technologies.

We prepared yarned carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers from a CNT forest synthesized on a Si wafer by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The yarned CNT fibers were thermally annealed to reduce their resistance by removing the amorphous carbonaceous impurities present in the fibers. The resistance of the yarned CNT fiber gradually decreased with an increase in the annealing temperature from 200℃ to 400℃ but increased again above 450℃. We carried out thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm the burning properties of the amorphous carbonaceous impurities and the crystalline CNTs present in the fibers. The pattern of the mass change of the sample CNT fibers was very similar to that of the resistance change. We conclude that CNT fibers should be thermally annealed at temperatures below 400℃ for reducing and stabilizing their resistance.

CNT (carbon nanotube) resistors with low resistance and negative TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance) were fabricated with yarned CNT (carbon nanotube) fibers. The CNT fibers were prepared by yarning CNTs grown on the silicone substrate by CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. The CNT resistors were fabricated by winding CNT fibers on the surface of ceramic rod. Both metal terminals were connected with the CNT fiber wound on the ceramic rod. We measured electrical resistance and thermal stability with the number of CNT fibers wound. The CNT resistor system shows linearly decreased resistance with the number of CNTs wound on the ceramic rod and saturated at 20 strands. The CNT resistor system has negative TCR between -1,000 ~ -2,000 ppm/℃ and stable frequency properties under 100 kHz.