A Multicolor Electrochromic Device Enabled by Shared-Zn Energy Routing for Self-Powered Wearable Displays

Abstract

Wearable displays remain constrained by high energy consumption and a heavy reliance on external power during repeated refreshing. Here, we develop a multicolor electrochromic device based on shared-Zn energy routing for self-powered wearable displays. An intermediate Zn mesh couples an upper W/WO3 display electrode with a lower MnO2 energy-storage electrode, enabling self-driven coloration and internally powered bleaching through separate electrochemical circuits. The upper Nylon-66/W/WO3 optical cavity determines the visible color and optically shields the underlying storage electrode, decoupling display color from energy-storage chemistry. The device achieves coloration and bleaching within 10 s and sustains at least 500 consecutive refresh cycles. Integration with a microcontroller and heart-rate sensor demonstrates its potential for wearable physiological monitoring. This compact architecture combines display refreshing, optical memory, and electrical energy output, providing a route toward self-powered wearable displays with integrated sensing and energy functions.