Anhydrous Thermogalvanic Gel for Simultaneous Waste Heat Recovery and Thermal Management of Electronics

Abstract

Due to their distinctive characteristics of adequate flexibility, stability, and functional diversity, thermogalvanic gels have demonstrated tremendous promise in the area of renewable energy sources. However, their inability to adapt to low or high temperature environments greatly limits their practical applications. In this work, an anhydrous thermogalvanic gel prepared from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/ethylene glycol (EG) binary organic solvent is developed with Fe 3+/2+ as a redox pair, which displays an exceptional temperature tolerance (−80 to 80 °C) and remarkable antidrying property (80% weight retention at 70 °C after 12 h), while maintaining stable mechanical flexibility and electrical conductivity over a wide temperature range. These merits result from the formation of numerous hydrogen bonds between DMSO and EG molecules, which prevent crystallization and hinder evaporation of the solvent simultaneously. As an applicative demonstration, by placing the thermogalvanic gel on the surface of a charging battery/charger/chip, it acts as a thermal-conductive network while performing the thermal-electric conversion, revealing a viable strategy for simultaneous waste heat recovery and thermal management. This research provides new insight into the creation of flexible thermoelectric materials for energy recovery and self-powered wearable electronics.

Patterned liquid metal embedded in brush-shaped polymers for dynamic thermal management

“…Moreover, we compared the stress–strain data of LM–VGA/BPDMS with other previously reported materials in Fig. 2h, 5,15,18,39–50 further highlighting the soft elasticity of our composites. Overall, the exceptional flexibility and ultra-low elastic modulus of the material not only allow it to conform to interfaces with complex surface structures but also ensure thorough gap filling on the contact surface under low installation pressure conditions.…”

“…4h presents statistical data representing the relationship between the thermal conductivity and elastic modulus of silicone, foams, ceramics, and various polymeric composites enhanced with fillers such as LM, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, among others. 15,19,27,34,37,45,50,59–63 The composite material thus developed, featuring low modulus, high deformability, and high κ , demonstrates pressure-controlled heat dissipation capabilities and dynamic thermal dissipation in complex environments. This surpasses the heat dissipation performance of commercial TIMs, highlighting its potential as a high-performance TIMs for flexible electronics.…”

Exploring the Mechanism, Advancements, and Application of Thermogalvanic Effect in Hydrogels

“…Furthermore, the combination of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and PVA has recently garnered attention. In this direction, Zhang et al [94] capitalized on this combination to develop a thermogalvanic gel. As shown in Figure 6e, the presence of DMSO greatly enhanced the tensile strength of the gel at the expense of reduced tensile strain.…”

A Superhydrophobic Self-Cleaning Flexible Hydrogel for Solar Thermoelectric Power Generation

“…In previous studies, Hu et al have demonstrated the viability of thermoelectric hydrogels as thermal recovery generators . Zhang et al have focused on the sensing capabilities of thermoelectric couple hydrogels and have proven their wide range of applications in medical and daily life, offering new directions for smart living. − Additionally, Ma et al have successfully utilized thermoelectric hydrogels for thermal management, providing assistance in monitoring and protecting various heat-generating electronic devices. − Furthermore, in the research conducted by Sun et al, significant breakthroughs have been made in the use of ion thermoelectric hydrogels relying on the Seebeck effect, showcasing the remarkable efficiency of thermoelectric hydrogels. , These quasi-solid-state thermoelectric coupler hydrogel electrolytes, through the manipulation of electrodes and electrolytes, have shown a certain level of efficiency in recovering thermal energy. , The primary research focus should be on the cost-effectiveness of preparing thermoelectric hydrogels and their subsequent thermal energy absorption efficiency, as these are vital factors in the development of functional products for thermal energy recovery. An increase in heat absorption at the hot end of thermoelectric coupler hydrogels results in a greater temperature difference between the hot and cold ends, leading to enhanced power output .…”