Flexible Thermoelectric Devices for Wearable Applications

I-Corps项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发轻量级电源原型，为可穿戴健康监测设备中使用的电池充电。柔性热电发电机将实现对健康参数的不间断和连续监测。采用更快、低能量投入的制造方法，使柔性热电发电机（TEG）具有成本效益，而且可大规模生产。通过不间断地监测健康参数，teg可以显著改善患者的健康结果并降低医疗保健成本。此外，基于teg的电源提供的自给自足可以减少战斗重量，最大限度地减少不必要的移动，并确保在国防应用中作战人员的不间断信号。这些因素对他们的生存概率和整体任务的成功至关重要。I-Corps项目的基础是开发下一代热电复合材料，其特点是高导电性和低导热性。提出的研究是基于对材料在微/纳米结构水平上的理解和操作。这些先进材料的发展有可能彻底改变能量转换和热管理技术。利用材料的电子和声子输运特性的新知识，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量输入要求，将增材制造提升到一个新的水平。消除对高温固化的需要将提高制造过程的效率，并有助于节能和可持续性。这项研究带来的效率提高和能耗降低将有助于整体增材制造的进步。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.