A research team led by the University of Queensland has developed a flexible and lightweight film that generates electricity using the heat of the human body. This innovation could revolutionize wearable technology, offering a new way to power devices without needing batteries. According to a university statement, this technology could also be used to cool electronic chips, enhancing the performance of smartphones and computers.
Professor Chi-Gang Chen, who led the research team, explained: "The thermoelectric wearable devices can be comfortably worn on the skin, where they efficiently convert the temperature difference between the human body and the surrounding air into electricity."
Overcoming Commercialization Challenges
Despite its promising potential, several challenges hinder this technology from reaching the commercial market, such as limited flexibility, complex manufacturing, high costs, and insufficient performance. To address these issues, the University of Queensland team used an innovative approach that combines the thermoelectric properties of bismuth telluride with the structural benefits of tellurium nanorods.
Bismuth telluride is a well-known thermoelectric material, but its inherent rigidity limited its use in flexible applications. The researchers solved this problem by adding tellurium nanorods to the material. These nanorods act as bonding agents, filling the gaps between the bismuth telluride sheets and forming a network. This structure enhances the film’s ability to convert heat into electricity and gives it the flexibility needed for wearable applications.
Cooling Electronic Chips
In addition to its potential for wearable technology, the research team's findings also have broader implications. The team demonstrated that the film could be used for cooling electronic chips—a crucial aspect of maintaining optimal performance in electronic devices.
To test the film's effectiveness, the researchers created a small generator using a sheet of the flexible film (approximately the size of an A4 paper) and connected it to silver paste electrodes. When placed on the skin, the generator produced 1.2 milliwatts of power per square centimeter with a temperature difference of 20 Kelvin between the skin and the surrounding air. This power output shows the film's potential to power a wide range of wearable devices.
Future Applications of the Technology
Beyond wearable devices, the team’s research also suggests potential applications for personal heat management. Body heat could be harnessed to power integrated cooling, heating, and ventilation systems in wearable devices, offering users more comfort and functionality.
The team's work represents an exciting step forward in thermoelectric technology, opening the door to a wide range of possibilities in both consumer electronics and personal devices. As they continue to refine the technology, it could lead to a future where wearable gadgets are powered entirely by the heat generated by the human body.
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