Electrical current visualization sensor based on magneto-electrochromic effect

Electrical safety is a major threat to public safety worldwide, with fires and explosions causing damage to property and loss of life. Detection and monitoring of the occurrence of destructive current spikes can provide valuable insights into system health and inform preventative maintenance. Current sensors based on the Magnetoelectric (ME) effect have been regarded as optimal solutions because of the low power consumption and high sensitivity of ME devices compared to conventional current sensors (current transformers, Hall-effect current sensors, etc.). However, none of the conventional sensing techniques can provide ex-situ recording or a means for a human-readable signal output. Development of a current sensor that can sense, visualize, and record a current level remains a challenge. Here, we report an electric current visualization sensor that uses a coupled magnetoelectric/electrochromic effect to transform environmental current energy into electrical signals, and subsequently to a color change readily interpreted by a human observer. The current visualization sensor uses a PZT piezoelectric microfiber composite (MFC) / FeSiB alloy (Metglas) laminate combined with a Prussian blue-based electrochromic device (ECD). Such a current sensor demonstrates high efficiency self-powered current sensing and non-volatile signal recording.