Energy harvesting using thermoelectricity for IoT (Internet of Things) and E-skin sensors

Abstract

With the increasing demand for Internet of Things (IoT) with integrated wireless sensor networks (WSNs), sustainable power supply and management have become important issues to be addressed. Thermal energy in forms of waste heat or metabolic heat is a promising source for reliably supplying power to electronic devices; for instance, thermoelectric power generators are widely being researched as they are able to convert thermal energy into electricity. This paper specifically looks over the application of thermoelectricity as a sustainable power source for IoT including WSNs. Also, we discuss a few thermoelectric systems capable of operating electronic skin (e-skin) sensors despite their low output power from body heat. For a more accurate analysis on body heat harvesting, models of the human thermoregulatory system have been investigated. In addition, some clever designs of heat sinks that can be integrated with thermoelectric systems have also been introduced. For their power management, the integration with a DC-DC converter is addressed to boost its low output voltage to a more usable level.

Thermoelectric properties of GaN with carrier concentration modulation: an experimental and theoretical investigation

“…Thermal energy in forms of waste heat or metabolic heat is a promising and dependable power source for electronic devices; for example, TEGs are widely being investigated for their ability to convert thermal energy into electricity through Seebeck effect. These materials, therefore, have enormous potential for meeting a part of our energy needs and in enabling self-powered sensors, but improved materials and optimized device geometries are required before this can be realized [9,10]. The thermoelectric (TE) performance of a material can be considered by the parameter, figure-of-merit (ZT), defined as 2…”

Current and Future Trend Opportunities of Thermoelectric Generator Applications in Waste Heat Recovery

“…The IoT with integrated wireless sensor networks become important issues that increasing demand for renewable power supply and management. H. Park et al [99] have demonstrated the application of TEG energy harvesting system as a renewable energy source for IoT, including wireless sensor networks. They investigated the models of the human thermoregulatory process on body heat harvesting.…”

A Wavy-Structured Highly Stretchable Thermoelectric Generator with Stable Energy Output and Self-Rescuing Capability

“…6,7 Harvesting energy from human body via TEGs thus represents a promising direction in designing self-powered wearable electronics, especially when the cutting-edge technologies have significantly reduced their power requirement, suggesting a bright future for the practical applications of thermoelectric energy harvesting. [8][9][10] Whereas, existing TEGs are primarily fabricated using rigid or non-stretchable components, which restrains their capability to conform to human skin or accommodate human motions. [11][12][13][14][15] To meet the requirement of wearability, TEGs must possess high mechanical flexibility and preferable stretchability, and in the meantime can provide consistent energy output even having encountered mechanical damages.…”