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Body Heat: The Surprising New Power Source for Electronics

Scientists Develop Body Heat-Powered Battery Film: A Breakthrough in Wearable Tech

A ‍team​ of researchers from ⁣Queensland University of⁢ Technology (QUT) has made a significant breakthrough in ⁣energy ⁢harvesting technology,‍ developing a thin,⁤ flexible film capable of‌ generating power ⁤from human body heat. This ⁢innovation promises to revolutionize ‍wearable electronics and potentially impact other technological‍ sectors.

Professor Zhi-Gang Chen, a lead researcher at QUT, described the‌ findings as a “breakthrough⁢ in creating flexible thermoelectric technology that can convert body heat into power.” He emphasized the potential of this sustainable energy source to power a new generation of wearable devices. “A flexible⁣ thermoelectric device‌ can be ‍worn comfortably on the skin, which ⁢effectively converts the temperature difference between the human body and the ‍surrounding air into electricity,”‌ Chen stated in a QUT⁢ press release.

Image of the flexible thermoelectric film
A ​representation of the flexible thermoelectric film. (replace ⁤with accurate caption)

Beyond Wearables: Cooling Electronics and More

The ‌applications extend beyond powering wearables. ‌ Professor Chen explained that the film’s thin profile allows for integration ​into smartphones and laptops,where it could actively cool electronic chips,improving efficiency and potentially extending battery life. “Other ⁣potential applications start from personal temperature management. Body⁤ heat can power heating, ventilation and air​ conditioning ⁢systems applied to the body,” he added.

Previous attempts to create body‌ heat-powered technology have‍ faced challenges, according to Chen.⁢ “Similar ‍efforts had been made⁤ to produce technology ⁤powered by body heat.However, the material is less flexible, production is complicated, performance is inadequate, and costs are high.As a‍ result,previous creations ⁢were challenging to commercialize,” he noted.

A Cost-Effective and Scalable ⁣Solution

The QUT team overcame these hurdles by focusing on bismuth telluride, a semiconductor known for its thermoelectric properties.​ They created a cost-effective thermoelectric film‍ using a ⁢novel technique‍ involving nanocrystals and screen ‌printing. ⁤ This method allows for large-scale ⁤production of⁤ A4-sized sheets of the material. The process‌ includes a sintering​ stage, where the​ film is heated to bond the particles without melting.

Researcher Wenyi Chen highlighted the ⁣versatility of their approach.”The versatility of this material shows the various applications of this method that can advance flexible ‌thermoelectric ​technology,”⁢ he said, adding that the ‌technique could​ be adapted for other materials, such as silver‌ selenide, offering potentially cheaper and more sustainable alternatives.

The ⁢research, published ‌in the journal Science on december 12, 2024, represents a significant leap forward in energy ⁤harvesting and ⁢promises to impact various aspects of technology, from wearable health monitors to more efficient⁤ computing devices. The potential for cost savings ⁣and scalability‍ makes this breakthrough particularly exciting for the future of sustainable technology.

(Source: queensland⁢ University of Technology)

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