Researches have developed a new design for harvesting body heat and effectively converting it into electricity for use in wearable electronics.
the experimental prototypes are lightweight conform to the shape of the body, and can generate far more electricity than previous lightweight heat harvesting technologies, the researchers said "Wearable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) generate electricity by making use the temperature differential between your body and the ambient air," said corresponding author Daryoosh Vashaee, Associate Professor at North Carolina State University.
"Previous approaches either made use of heat sinks- which are heavy, stiff and bulky- or were able to generate only one microwatt or less of power per centimeter square. Our technology generates up to 20 microwatt per cm2 and does not use a heat sink, making it lighter and much more comfortable," he added in a university statement.
The new design begins with a layer of thermally conductive material that rests on the skin and spreads out the heat the conductive material is topped with a polymer layer that prevents the heat from dissipating through to the outside air.
This force the body heat to pass through a centrally-located thermoelectric generator. heat that is not converted into electricity passesthrough thermoelecric generator into an outer layer of thermally conductive material, which rapidly dissipates the heat.
the entire system is thin- only two millimeters- and flexible.
The researchers also found that upper arm is the optimal location for heat harvesting.
It's area can be increased as per the need of power.
Since it is a prototype technology but it may be launched in coming years and it will help us to reduce the power consumption.
"Previous approaches either made use of heat sinks- which are heavy, stiff and bulky- or were able to generate only one microwatt or less of power per centimeter square. Our technology generates up to 20 microwatt per cm2 and does not use a heat sink, making it lighter and much more comfortable," he added in a university statement.
The new design begins with a layer of thermally conductive material that rests on the skin and spreads out the heat the conductive material is topped with a polymer layer that prevents the heat from dissipating through to the outside air.
This force the body heat to pass through a centrally-located thermoelectric generator. heat that is not converted into electricity passesthrough thermoelecric generator into an outer layer of thermally conductive material, which rapidly dissipates the heat.
the entire system is thin- only two millimeters- and flexible.
The researchers also found that upper arm is the optimal location for heat harvesting.
It's area can be increased as per the need of power.
Since it is a prototype technology but it may be launched in coming years and it will help us to reduce the power consumption.
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