Multifunctional Wearable Thermoelectrics for Personal Thermal Management

Abstract

With the ever‐increasing demand for wearable electronics and energy‐saving technologies, self‐powered thermoelectric personal thermal management (PTM) has attracted extensive research interest. In this review, the unique characteristics of thermoelectric PTM comparing with other technologies are first highlighted, and the key parameters and fundamental functions of thermoelectric PTM are systematically summarized. Then, the advances in thermoelectric PTM are overviewed from the material design to the wearable device design viewpoints. Finally, the key challenges and future research directions of thermoelectric PTM, where both high‐performance flexible materials and proper device designs are in urgent need, are pointed out. This review will deliver a systematic understanding and guideline for thermoelectric PTM.

Phase-engineered high-entropy metastable FCC Cu2−yAgy(InxSn1−x)Se2S nanomaterials with high thermoelectric performance

“…Thermoelectric devices can directly convert waste heat into electrical power without hazardous emissions and moving parts and have become an attractive option for improving energy utilization in applications such as medical devices, 1 thermal management, 2 cooling 3,4 and thermocells. 5 In general, the energy conversion efficiency of a thermoelectric material is determined by the figure of merit, ZT = S 2 σT / k tot , where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, k tot is the total thermal conductivity, and T is the working temperature.…”

Environmentally Friendly High-Near-Infrared Reflectance Blue Pigment YIn0.9–xMn0.1MxO3−δ Based on Li/Zn Doping

“…According to statistics, about 45–50% of building electrical energy consumption is related to HVAC . Taking measures to improve energy efficiency, using cold materials, planting vegetation, and developing personal thermal management (PTM) technologies can significantly alleviate a series of problems caused by UHI. − The solar spectrum consists of 5% ultraviolet light region (295–400 nm), 43% visible light region (400–700 nm), and 52% NIR region (700–2500 nm) . Therefore, the NIR component of solar radiation accounts for a large part of the absorbed heat.…”

Adaptive and Remote Thermoregulation Enabled with a Highly Stable Transparent Flexible Heating Film

“…For instance, comfortable thermal management can warm, cool, and perform adaptive thermoregulation of the human body to improve people’s life satisfaction. − To realize thermal comfort, convenient thermal management mainly relies on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVACs) in our daily life. However, the present HVAC not only has complicated equipment and high heat loss, but also lacks intelligent integration and remote control, resulting in huge energy consumption. , Thus, researchers have begun to focus on next-generation thermoregulation systems consisting of flexible electrothermal films that are more comfortable, adaptive, and energy saving as well as remote precise control with respect to temperature performance. , Great progress has been made based on skin-like wearable thermoelectric devices via both heating and cooling regulation to realize personal temperature management, underwater thermoregulation, and the cooling/heating feeling replication in VR application …”

“…4,5 Thus, researchers have begun to focus on next-generation thermoregulation systems consisting of flexible electrothermal films that are more comfortable, adaptive, and energy saving as well as remote precise control with respect to temperature performance. 6,7 Great progress has been made based on skin-like wearable thermoelectric devices via both heating and cooling regulation to realize personal temperature management, 8 underwater thermoregulation, 9 and the cooling/heating feeling replication in VR application. 10 Electric heating materials are the key components of emerging electrothermal films.…”