A team of researchers, led by Queensland University of Technology (QUT), has created an ultra-thin, flexible film that can convert body heat into electricity.
This exciting technology could power wearable devices like health monitors, eliminating the need for batteries, while also cooling electronics like smartphones and computers for better performance.
The research, led by Professor Zhi-Gang Chen and published in Science, tackles key challenges in creating flexible thermoelectric devices.
These devices transform the temperature difference between the body and the surrounding air into energy, providing a sustainable power source for wearable electronics and new ways to cool electronic chips.
“Flexible thermoelectric devices can be worn on the skin to generate electricity from body heat. They could also be used in tight spaces inside mobile phones or computers to help cool chips and boost performance,” explained Professor Chen.
Potential uses of this technology go beyond powering wearable electronics.
They could help create personal thermal management systems, where body heat powers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) devices for individual comfort.
However, creating these devices at a commercial scale has been difficult due to challenges like limited flexibility, high costs, and low performance.
The team addressed these hurdles by improving thermoelectric films made from bismuth telluride, a material known for its ability to efficiently convert heat into electricity. This material is ideal for low-power wearable applications, such as monitoring heart rate, temperature, or movement.
Using a technique called solvothermal synthesis, the researchers created nanocrystals—tiny building blocks that form a consistent layer of bismuth telluride sheets.
This method boosts both the flexibility and efficiency of the material.
They combined this with screen-printing and sintering, two manufacturing techniques that allow the material to be produced at a larger scale and lower cost.
As a result, the team successfully produced a printable, A4-sized thermoelectric film with record-breaking performance and exceptional flexibility. “Our film is one of the best flexible thermoelectrics available,” said Professor Chen.
The technology also works with other materials, such as silver selenide, which is potentially cheaper and more sustainable. “This flexibility in materials shows how our approach can open new possibilities for advancing wearable and cooling technologies,” added Mr. Wenyi Chen, the study’s first author.
This breakthrough brings us closer to a future where wearable devices powered by body heat become part of everyday life, offering not only convenience but also a more sustainable way to power electronics. It also paves the way for more efficient cooling systems, improving the performance of our gadgets.
