Researchers develop ultra-thin film to power wearables using body heat

QUT developed a flexible thermoelectric film using nanobinders to harness body heat for powering wearables.

: Queensland University of Technology researchers have developed an ultra-thin, flexible film using nanobinders for efficient thermoelectric energy conversion. This innovation allows the film to convert body heat into electricity, eliminating the need for batteries in wearables. The technology also holds potential for applications in smart clothing, automotive sensors, and medical implants. By utilizing solvothermal synthesis, screen-printing, and sintering, the team achieved a high-performing, cost-effective solution.

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have engineered a groundbreaking, ultra-thin film capable of transforming body heat into electrical power for wearable technology. Their findings, published in the journal Science, describe a cost-effective and flexible thermoelectric solution made possible by the use of bismuth telluride sheets and nanobinders.

This new thermoelectric film technology addresses the long-standing barriers of flexibility, efficiency, and manufacturability that have hindered previous efforts. Researchers utilized a combination of solvothermal synthesis, screen-printing, and sintering to achieve one of the highest power densities seen in screen-printed devices.

Beyond wearables, this flexible thermoelectric technology could revolutionize sectors like automotive and healthcare. Potential applications include smart textiles with self-heating capabilities, battery-free sensors for autonomous vehicles, and energy-efficient solutions for industrial processes.

thermoelectric filmWearable techenergy harvesting