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Scalable-produced 3D elastic thermoelectric network for body heat harvesting

Author

Listed:
  • Yijie Liu

    (School of Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology
    Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Xiaodong Wang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Shuaihang Hou

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Zuoxu Wu

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Jian Wang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Jun Mao

    (Harbin Institute of Technology
    Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Qian Zhang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology
    Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Zhiguo Liu

    (School of Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Feng Cao

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Flexible thermoelectric generators can power wearable electronics by harvesting body heat. However, existing thermoelectric materials rarely realize high flexibility and output properties simultaneously. Here we present a facile, cost-effective, and scalable two-step impregnation method for fabricating a three-dimensional thermoelectric network with excellent elasticity and superior thermoelectric performance. The reticular construction endows this material with ultra-light weight (0.28 g cm−3), ultra-low thermal conductivity (0.04 W m−1 K−1), moderate softness (0.03 MPa), and high elongation (>100%). The obtained network-based flexible thermoelectric generator achieves a pretty high output power of 4 μW cm−2, even comparable to state-of-the-art bulk-based flexible thermoelectric generators.

Suggested Citation

  • Yijie Liu & Xiaodong Wang & Shuaihang Hou & Zuoxu Wu & Jian Wang & Jun Mao & Qian Zhang & Zhiguo Liu & Feng Cao, 2023. "Scalable-produced 3D elastic thermoelectric network for body heat harvesting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38852-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38852-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Yancheng & Shi, Yaoguang & Mei, Deqing & Chen, Zichen, 2018. "Wearable thermoelectric generator to harvest body heat for powering a miniaturized accelerometer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 690-698.
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    3. Kai Dong & Xiao Peng & Jie An & Aurelia Chi Wang & Jianjun Luo & Baozhong Sun & Jie Wang & Zhong Lin Wang, 2020. "Shape adaptable and highly resilient 3D braided triboelectric nanogenerators as e-textiles for power and sensing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Nara Kim & Samuel Lienemann & Ioannis Petsagkourakis & Desalegn Alemu Mengistie & Seyoung Kee & Thomas Ederth & Viktor Gueskine & Philippe Leclère & Roberto Lazzaroni & Xavier Crispin & Klas Tybrandt, 2020. "Elastic conducting polymer composites in thermoelectric modules," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Suarez, Francisco & Parekh, Dishit P. & Ladd, Collin & Vashaee, Daryoosh & Dickey, Michael D. & Öztürk, Mehmet C., 2017. "Flexible thermoelectric generator using bulk legs and liquid metal interconnects for wearable electronics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 736-745.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhou, Xu & Wang, Kangda & Li, Siyu & Wang, Yadong & Sun, Daoyu & Wang, Longlong & He, Zhizhu & Tang, Wei & Liu, Huicong & Jin, Xiaoping & Li, Zhen, 2024. "An ultra-compact lightweight electromagnetic generator enhanced with Halbach magnet array and printed triphase windings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).

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