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Ultrastrong, flexible thermogalvanic armor with a Carnot-relative efficiency over 8%

Author

Listed:
  • Jinpei Wang

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Yuxin Song

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Fanfei Yu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Yijun Zeng

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Chenyang Wu

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Xuezhi Qin

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Liang Peng

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Yitan Li

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Yongsen Zhou

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Ran Tao

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Hangchen Liu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Hong Zhu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Ming Sun

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Wanghuai Xu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Chao Zhang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Zuankai Wang

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Shenzhen Research Institute of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Abstract

Body heat, a clean and ubiquitous energy source, is promising as a renewable resource to supply wearable electronics. Emerging tough thermogalvanic device could be a sustainable platform to convert body heat energy into electricity for powering wearable electronics if its Carnot-relative efficiency (ηr) reaches ~5%. However, maximizing both the ηr and mechanical strength of the device are mutually exclusive. Here, we develop a rational strategy to construct a flexible thermogalvanic armor (FTGA) with a ηr over 8% near room temperature, yet preserving mechanical robustness. The key to our design lies in simultaneously realizing the thermosensitive-crystallization and salting-out effect in the elaborately designed ion-transport highway to boost ηr and improve mechanical strength. The FTGA achieves an ultrahigh ηr of 8.53%, coupling with impressive mechanical toughness of 70.65 MJ m−3 and substantial elongation (~900%) together. Our strategy holds sustainable potential for harvesting body heat and powering wearable electronics without recharging.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinpei Wang & Yuxin Song & Fanfei Yu & Yijun Zeng & Chenyang Wu & Xuezhi Qin & Liang Peng & Yitan Li & Yongsen Zhou & Ran Tao & Hangchen Liu & Hong Zhu & Ming Sun & Wanghuai Xu & Chao Zhang & Zuankai , 2024. "Ultrastrong, flexible thermogalvanic armor with a Carnot-relative efficiency over 8%," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51002-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51002-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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