Wearable Thermoelectric Generator with Cooling-Enhanced Electrode Design for High-Efficient Human Body Heat Harvesting
Shucheng Bao, Wei Zhu, Yuedong Yu, Lixing Liang, Yuan Deng
Abstract
Thermoelectric generators in the field of body heat harvesting and self-power supply for wearable electronics are a promising prospect. However, good flexibility as well as superior generating performance for thermoelectric generators in a wearable application are still urgently required. Here, we propose a design solution for the devices with special multifunctional electrodes to establish a larger effective ΔT by enhancing the cold-side heat dissipation and also satisfying flexible deformation without compromising performance. In addition, this elaborate design avoids the parasitic heat loss in the interlayer of the cold side, and the employment of a radiative coating further increases the cooling capacity. Remarkably, a maximum wearable output power density of 30.25 μW cm–2 is realized in only a 3 mm-thick device when an experimental volunteer sits indoor, and the unstable low output voltage can be boosted to a constant value of 2.235 V. Furthermore, over 1000 bending and twisting tests are carried out to investigate its flexibility and reliability. This study provides an attractive alternative for the sustainable application of TEGs as a human body heat harvester.