Hybrid Thermoelectric–Photovoltaic Generators in Wireless Electroencephalography Diadem and Electrocardiography Shirt

Abstract

Hybrid wearable energy harvesters consisting of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and photovoltaic (PV) cells are used in this work for powering two autonomous medical devices: an electroencephalography (EEG) system and an electrocardiography (ECG) system in a shirt. Two alternative solutions for powering the systems have been implemented. In the battery-free EEG diadem, PV cells cover the outer surface of radiators used in a TEG. In the ECG shirt, thermoelectric modules are the main power supply that constantly recharges a battery, while PV cells are used mainly to provide standby power, i.e., when the shirt is not worn. Both devices are maintenance free for their entire service life.

Materials for stretchable electronics in bioinspired and biointegrated devices

“…In particular, the drive toward smaller and thinner devices to improve operating speeds and levels of integration in conventional ICs has immediate and direct benefi ts in stretchable electronics because these same geometries lead to favorable mechanical properties. Such synergies greatly enhance the prospects not only for biointegrated electronics 24 , 38 -40 , 44 , 45 and bioinspired device design, 37 , 79 -80 as described here, but also for many other classes of stretchable, curvilinear technologies in portable photovoltaics, 74 conformal thermoelectric, 87 curvilinear active antennas, 88 solid-state lighting systems, 23 , 24 energy harvesters, 41 , 89 and others. At the same time, many compelling opportunities for continued basic research follow from the unusual and extreme materials heterogeneity inherent in these systems.…”

A review on the performance of photovoltaic/thermoelectric hybrid generators

“…For some designs, a CPV is used along with a collector to increase the heat flux from the sun. Different research has been carried out on integrated systems . This research involves experimental and numerical studies of the performance evaluation of a TEG attached to the rear of a PV module.…”

“…Different research has been carried out on integrated systems. [31][32][33][34][35][36] This research involves experimental and numerical studies of the performance evaluation of a TEG attached to the rear of a PV module.…”

A multi-tone RF energy harvester in body sensor area network context

“…The drawback of electromagnetic, or RF sources, is that the best power density they can provide is low (0.01~0.1 uW/cm²) [3] compared to the photovoltaic (10 uW/cm²~10 mW/cm²) or thermal (20 uW/cm² ~ 10 mW/cm²) ones [4]. However, they do have the advantage of being ubiquitous in our daily lives such as in urban environment.…”