Breakthrough brings body-heat powered wearable devices closer to reality

New research from Professor Chen Zhigang’s team was published in the journal scienceThe breakthrough solves a major challenge in creating flexible thermoelectric devices that convert body heat into electricity. This approach offers the potential for sustainable energy for wearable electronics and an efficient cooling method for the wafers.

In addition to Professor Chen, QUT researchers who contributed to the study include first author Mr Chen Wenyi, Dr Shi Xiaolei, Dr Li Meng, Mr Mao Yuanqing and Ms Liu Qingyi, all from ARC Carbon Zero Emissions Power Generation Research Center Neutrality, Queensland University of Technology School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology Materials Science Center.

Other members of the research team include Mr Ting Liu, Professor Matthew Dargusch and Professor Jin Zou from the University of Queensland and Professor Gau Qing (Max) Lu from the University of Surrey. Professor Chen said: “The flexible thermoelectric device can be worn comfortably on the skin and effectively convert the temperature difference between the human body and the surrounding air into electrical energy.”

“They can also be used in small spaces, such as inside computers or mobile phones, to help cool chips and improve performance.

“Other potential applications include personal thermal management – body heat could power wearable heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

“However, challenges such as limited flexibility, complex fabrication, high cost, and insufficient performance prevent these devices from reaching commercial scale.”

Most research in this area has focused on bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric materials, which are valued for their high performance in converting heat into electricity, making them ideal for low-power applications such as heart rate, temperature, or motion monitors. Ideal.

In this study, the team introduced a cost-effective technology to create flexible thermoelectric films by using tiny crystals, or “nano-binders,” that form consistent bismuth telluride sheets to increase efficiency and flexibility.

Professor Chen said: “We have created a printable A4-sized film with record high thermoelectric performance, excellent flexibility, scalability and low cost, making it one of the best flexible thermoelectric materials currently available. ” The team used “solvothermal synthesis”, a technology that forms nanocrystals in solvents under high temperature and pressure, combining “screen printing” and “sintering”. The screen-printing method allows the film to be produced on a large scale, while sintering heats the film to near its melting point, binding the particles together.

Mr Wenyi Chen said their technology could also be used with other systems, such as silver selenide-based thermoelectric systems, which could be cheaper and more sustainable than traditional materials. “This flexibility of the material shows that our approach offers a wide range of possibilities for advancing flexible thermoelectric technology,” he said.