Review on Wearable Thermoelectric Generators: From Devices to Applications
Sijing Zhu,
Zheng Fan,
Baoquan Feng,
Runze Shi,
Zexin Jiang,
Ying Peng,
Jie Gao,
Lei Miao,
Kunihito Koumoto
Affiliations
Sijing Zhu
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Material, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Zheng Fan
Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Baoquan Feng
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Material, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Runze Shi
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Material, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Zexin Jiang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Material, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Ying Peng
Engineering Research Center of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Navigation Technology and Application, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Jie Gao
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Material, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Lei Miao
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Material, School of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Kunihito Koumoto
Nagoya Industrial Science Research Institute, Nagoya 464-0819, Japan
Wearable thermoelectric generators (WTEGs) can incessantly convert body heat into electricity to power electronics. However, the low efficiency of thermoelectric materials, tiny terminal temperature difference, rigidity, and neglecting optimization of lateral heat transfer preclude WTEGs from broad utilization. In this review, we aim to comprehensively summarize the state-of-the-art strategies for the realization of flexibility and high normalized power density in thermoelectric generators by establishing the links among materials, TE performance, and advanced design of WTEGs (structure, heatsinks, thermal regulation, thermal analysis, etc.) based on inorganic bulk TE materials. Each section starts with a concise summary of its fundamentals and carefully selected examples. In the end, we point out the controversies, challenges, and outlooks toward the future development of wearable thermoelectric devices and potential applications. Overall, this review will serve to help materials scientists, electronic engineers, particularly students and young researchers, in selecting suitable thermoelectric devices and potential applications.
