Harnessing Body Heat: A Breakthrough in Flexible Thermoelectric Technology

A team of researchers led by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has unveiled an innovative ultra-thin, flexible film capable of generating power from body heat, paving the way for battery-free wearable devices. This groundbreaking technology, published in the prestigious journal Science, also shows promise for cooling electronic chips, potentially enhancing the efficiency of smartphones and computers.
The Promise of Flexible Thermoelectrics

Led by Professor Zhi-Gang Chen, the research addresses a critical challenge in the development of thermoelectric devices: creating flexible systems that can efficiently convert heat into electricity. These devices could revolutionize wearable electronics by offering a sustainable energy source, while also enabling efficient chip cooling for improved device performance.

“Flexible thermoelectric devices can be worn comfortably on the skin where they effectively turn the temperature difference between the human body and the surrounding air into electricity,” Professor Chen explained. “They could also be applied in tight spaces, such as inside a computer or mobile phone, to help cool chips and improve performance.”

Potential applications extend beyond wearables to personal thermal management systems powered by body heat, such as wearable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning devices.
Overcoming Challenges with Innovation

While thermoelectric technology has long been studied, its commercial viability has been hindered by issues like limited flexibility, high costs, and insufficient performance. Traditionally, researchers have relied on bismuth telluride-based thermoelectrics, valued for their ability to efficiently convert heat into electricity. However, scaling this technology for practical use has proven complex.

The QUT team introduced a breakthrough approach, using nanobinders—tiny crystals that form a uniform layer of bismuth telluride sheets—to create a flexible, cost-effective thermoelectric film. This innovation enhances both the efficiency and scalability of the material.

“We created a printable A4-sized film with record-high thermoelectric performance, exceptional flexibility, scalability, and low cost, making it one of the best flexible thermoelectrics available,” Professor Chen said.
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques

The team employed a combination of advanced techniques, including solvothermal synthesis, screen-printing, and sintering. Solvothermal synthesis creates nanocrystals under high temperature and pressure in a solvent, while screen-printing allows for large-scale film production. Sintering then heats the films to near-melting point, bonding the particles together to enhance durability.

First author Mr. Wenyi Chen highlighted the potential of this technique to work with other materials, such as silver selenide-based thermoelectrics, which offer a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional materials. “This flexibility in materials shows the wide-ranging possibilities our approach offers for advancing flexible thermoelectric technology,” he said.
A Collaborative Effort

The research involved contributions from a diverse team of experts, including Dr. Xiao-Lei Shi, Dr. Meng Li, Mr. Yuanqing Mao, and Miss Qingyi Liu from QUT’s ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality, the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, and the QUT Centre for Materials Science. Additional collaborators included Mr. Ting Liu, Professor Matthew Dargusch, and Professor Jin Zou from the University of Queensland, as well as Professor Gao Qing (Max) Lu from the University of Surrey.
Looking Ahead

The QUT-led team’s flexible thermoelectric film represents a significant step forward in sustainable energy and electronics cooling technologies. By combining innovative materials and manufacturing methods, this breakthrough could reshape the future of wearable devices, personal thermal management systems, and electronic chip performance.

For more details, read the full research paper, Nanobinders advance screen-printed flexible thermoelectrics, online.