Functional electrical stimulation by nanogenerator with 58 V output voltage

Nano Lett. 2012 Jun 13;12(6):3086-90. doi: 10.1021/nl300972f. Epub 2012 May 18.

Abstract

We demonstrate a new type of integrated nanogenerator based on arrays of vertically aligned piezoelectric ZnO nanowires. The peak open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current reach a record high level of 58 V and 134 μA, respectively, with a maximum power density of 0.78 W/cm(3). The electric output was directly applied to a sciatic nerve of a frog, inducing innervation of the nerve. Vibrant contraction of the frog's gastrocnemius muscle is observed as a result of the instantaneous electric input from the nanogenerator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Ranidae
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiology*
  • Systems Integration
  • Zinc Oxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Zinc Oxide