A self-powered wearable body-detecting/brain-stimulating system for improving sports endurance performance

A new self-powered wearable body-detecting/brain-stimulating system for improving sports endurance performance has been realized. This wearable system can real-time monitor body vital signs and transmit neuralstimulating signal into the brain. The whole system can work without any external electricity power and be powered by the body itself. The system on the flexible substrate is integrated from power generator, body monitoring unit, data processing module and brain stimulating electrodes. A piezoelectric power generator can harvest the motion energy of athletes through converting mechanical energy into electricity. The body monitoring unit that is fabricated from flexible piezoelectric polymer can actively detect respiration, carotid artery and heartbeat. The data processing module can process physiological information and the detected information can be used to trigger the neural stimulator module for neural stimulations. Demonstration of the system with stimulating electrodes implanted in the medial forebrain bundle in running mice reveals great enhancement of endurance performance. This study provides a novel self-powered strategy for wearable brain-machine-interface system and extends its application in sports and health monitoring.

Automated summary

A new self-powered wearable system that can monitor body vital signs, transmit neural stimulating signals into the brain, and enhance sports endurance performance has been developed. This system works without external electricity power and is powered by the body itself, showcasing a novel strategy for wearable brain-machine-interface systems in sports and health monitoring.