Design and Optimization of Thermoelectric Devices Toward Geometric Aspects and a Promising Electrode for Room-Temperature Wearable Applications

Abstract

This paper presents a novel wearable thermoelectric device (WTED) to harvest energy from human body heat and convert it into electricity for low-power electronics or sensors applications. To achieve a high-performance WTED, numerical predictions and optimizations for leg geometry, electrode design, and solder paste are essential parameters. Here, Bi2Te3 is used as p- and n-type thermoelectric (TE) materials, Cu electrode, and Sn63Pb37 are used as a solder layer. First, we identify the best geometric shapes (Cylindrical, Cone, or Rectangular) along with varying TE leg length and area through numerical simulations. Among these, the rectangular shape produces better WTED performance. On the other hand, introducing a Ni metalized layer in a rectangular shape with Ni intermediate layer gives an enhanced performance. Then, the best WTED numerical simulation parameters of rectangular shapes with optimum size and nickel-copper fabric electrodes are considered for the novel wearable device fabrication. Finally, a novel four-pair of TE legs for the WTED practical result can generate an output voltage of 0.9 mV with a human body and a room temperature difference of 1 K.