Strategies for Wearable Energy and Thermal Management

forthcoming

The UN's Sustainable Development 2030 report highlights the urgent need for net-zero emission energy to combat climate change. Renewable energy and improved energy efficiency are key, as a significant portion of energy is lost as heat. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer a solution by converting waste heat into electrical power through thermal gradients. Recognising the significance of thermoelectric energy conversion materials, the Henry Royce Institute and the Institute of Physics have identified them as a critical area of materials research to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Current ceramic thermoelectric materials face sustainability challenges due to their reliance on scarce, toxic elements. In this context, the search for efficient ceramic materials is a necessity. Moreover, the development of hybrid materials combining ceramics with conductive polymers provides a promising alternative due to their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and low thermal conductivity Notably, recent developments have yielded printed TEGs based on conductive polymers for energy harvesting. Nonetheless, challenges impede their optimal power output, including limited temperature differentials across the TEG. Conventional cooling solutions like pumped fluids or rigid metal fins are unsuitable for flexible TEGs, hindering their progress. This project aims to enhance flexible TEG efficiency by integrating photothermal materials, which increase the thermal gradient through sunlight-induced photothermal conversion. Comprehensive TEG modelling will guide materials optimization, fabrication, and testing. The project has broad applications, including energy-efficient wearables, remote power sources, and sustainable energy harvesting systems. Improving printed organic TEGs and addressing thermal management aim to contribute significantly to global net-zero efforts, reduce energy waste, and advance sustainable energy solutions for society and the environment.