Integrated design of wearable aqueous zinc-ion batteries: From energy autonomy to intelligent sensing

With the advancement of wearable electronics toward longer battery life, multifunctionality, and intelligence, traditional rigid energy storage devices and discrete modules for energy harvesting, storage, and sensing are increasingly inadequate in meeting the demands of wearable systems for flexibility, safety, integration, and self-powering capabilities. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as an ideal candidate for constructing wearable energy systems due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, environmental friendliness, and excellent electrochemical performance. This review focuses on integrated systems of wearable AZIBs, systematically elaborating their development pathway from achieving “energy autonomy” to enabling “intelligent sensing”. First, the fundamental principles, advantages, and necessity of integrated technologies for wearable AZIBs are analyzed. Next, recent research advancements in this field are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, current key challenges are summarized, and prospects for the future development of truly self-driven, intelligent, and comfortable wearable AZIBs systems are discussed.