Wearable electronics for plant-based energy harvesting in smart farm

This paper explores the development and potential applications of plant-based wearable energy harvesters, focusing on their role in smart farming. While plant wearables have historically been rigid, recent studies suggest the importance of ultrathin, flexible, and stretchable designs in plant wearables. New designs of the devices take into account the dynamic nature of plants, making wearables durable while decreasing the risk of causing physical damage to the plant. Energy harvested through these plant wearables provide energy to power self-sustaining agricultural sensors that can continuously monitor plant microclimate data. The paper emphasizes the importance of using materials and designs that conform to the dynamic and delicate structure of plants, ensuring both mechanical compatibility and long-term functionality. Stretchable designs like serpentine, wrinkled, kirigami, and island-bridge structures are discussed for enhancing device flexibility. Various energy sources are explored, out of which solar power is highlighted as the most promising by the study. Additionally, mechanical energy from plant movement and chemical energy from biofuel cells are also explored as supplementary options. Despite current challenges, such as efficiency and durability in outdoor environments, plant-based wearables present a promising direction for sustainable agriculture and renewable energy integration.