This review covers energy harvesting technologies associated with pyroelectric materials and systems. Such materials have the potential to generate electrical power from thermal fluctuations and is a less well explored form of thermal energy harvesting than thermoelectric systems. The pyroelectric effect and potential thermal and electric field cycles for energy harvesting are explored. Materials of interest are discussed and pyroelectric architectures and systems that can be employed to improve device performance, such as frequency and power level, are described. In addition to the solid materials employed, the appropriate pyroelectric harvesting circuits to condition and store the electrical power are discussed.

Correction for 'Pyroelectric materials and devices for energy harvesting applications' by C. R. Bowen et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 3836-3856.The unit of energy density stated in Table 2 (Comparison of operating conditions and energy densities for Olsen type cycles) should be kJ m À3 /cycle, and not J m À3 /cycle.