Flexible Thermoelectric Devices for Wearable Applications

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发轻型电源原型，为可穿戴健康监测设备中使用的电池充电。灵活的热电发电机将能够不间断地持续监测健康参数。采用更快、低能量输入的制造方法使灵活的热电发电机（TEG）具有成本效益，但也可扩展为大规模生产。通过实现对健康参数的不间断监测，TEG可以显著改善患者的健康状况并降低医疗成本。此外，基于TEG的电源提供的自给自足可以减轻作战重量，最大限度地减少不必要的移动，并确保在国防应用中为作战人员提供不间断的信号。这些因素对它们的生存概率和整个使命的成功至关重要。拟议的研究是基于对材料在微观/纳米结构水平的理解和操纵。这些先进材料的开发有可能彻底改变能量转换和热管理技术。利用新发现的材料的电子和声子传输特性的知识，拟议的研究旨在生产高能量密度的柔性热电发电机。此外，这项工作通过显著降低能源输入要求，将增材制造提升到一个新的水平。消除高温固化的需要将提高制造工艺的效率，并有助于节能和可持续发展。这项研究带来的效率提升和能耗降低将有助于整个增材制造的进步。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of light weight power supply prototypes to charge the batteries used in wearable health monitoring devices. The flexible thermoelectric generators will enable uninterrupted and continuous monitoring of health parameters. The adoption of faster, low-energy-input manufacturing methods makes flexible thermoelectric generators (TEG) cost-effective but also scalable for large-scale production. By enabling uninterrupted monitoring of health parameters, TEGs can significantly contribute to improving patient health outcomes and reduction in healthcare costs. In addition, the self-sufficiency provided by TEG-based power supplies can reduce combat weight, minimizes unnecessary movements, and ensures uninterrupted signals for warfighters in defense applications. These factors are critical to their survival probability and overall mission success.This I-Corps project is based on the development of next generation thermoelectric composites characterized by high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity. The proposed research is based on the understanding and manipulation of materials at the micro-/nanostructure level. The development of these advanced materials has the potential to revolutionize energy conversion and thermal management technologies. Leveraging the newfound knowledge of materials' electron and phonon transport properties, the proposed research aims to produce high-energy-density flexible thermoelectric generators. In addition, this work takes additive manufacturing to a new level by significantly reducing energy input requirements. Eliminating the need for high-temperature curing will increase the efficiency of manufacturing processes and contribute to energy conservation and sustainability. The efficiency gains and reduced energy consumption brought about by this research will contribute to the advancement of additive manufacturing as a whole.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.