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Ionic Gelatin-Based Flexible Thermoelectric Generator with Scalability for Human Body Heat Harvesting

Author

Listed:
  • Shucheng Wang

    (Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Liuyang Han

    (Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Hanxiao Liu

    (Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Ying Dong

    (Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Xiaohao Wang

    (Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
    Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China)

Abstract

The prosperity of intelligent wearables brings an increasingly critical problem of power supply. Regular rechargeable lithium or disposable button batteries have some problems, such as limited capacity, frequent replacement, environmental pollution, etc. Wearable energy harvester (WEH) can fundamentally solve these problems. Among WEHs, thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a promising option due to its independence of light condition or the motion of the wearer, and thermoelectric conversion (TEC) has the characteristics of quietness and continuity. Therefore, TEG has become a suitable choice for harvesting low-grade heat energy such as human body heat. Ionic thermoelectric gel (iTEG) has the advantages of a large Seebeck coefficient, freely defined shape and size, low processing cost, wide material sources, easy encapsulation, etc. In this paper, the gelatin-based iTEG is regulated and optimized by silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs). The optimal compound quantity of SiO 2 NPs is determined, and the optimization mechanism is discussed through a series of characterization tests. Based on the iTEG, a kind of scalable flexible TEGs is proposed, and its preparation method is described in detail. A small wristband TEG (STEG) was made, and its Seebeck coefficient is 74.5 mV/K. Its bendability and stretchability were verified, and the impedance matching experiment was carried out. By charging a capacitor, the STEG successfully lights up an LED at a temperature difference (ΔT) of ~15.5 K. Subsequently, a large extended oversleeve TEG (LTEG) was prepared, and a set of heat sinks was added at the cooling end of the LTEG. Being worn on a volunteer’s forearm, the LTEG output a voltage of more than 3 V at ~20 °C. Through storing the converted energy in a capacitor, the LTEG directly drove a calculator without a DC–DC booster. The proposed iTEG and TEGs in this paper have the prospect of mass production, extending to people’s clothes, harvesting human body heat and directly powering wearable electronics.

Suggested Citation

  • Shucheng Wang & Liuyang Han & Hanxiao Liu & Ying Dong & Xiaohao Wang, 2022. "Ionic Gelatin-Based Flexible Thermoelectric Generator with Scalability for Human Body Heat Harvesting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:3441-:d:811141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wei Liu & Seok Woo Lee & Dingchang Lin & Feifei Shi & Shuang Wang & Austin D. Sendek & Yi Cui, 2017. "Enhancing ionic conductivity in composite polymer electrolytes with well-aligned ceramic nanowires," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(5), pages 1-7, May.
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    3. Chengshuo Xia & Daxing Zhang & Witold Pedrycz & Kangqi Fan & Yongxian Guo, 2019. "Human Body Heat Based Thermoelectric Harvester with Ultra-Low Input Power Management System for Wireless Sensors Powering," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
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