Flexible thermoelectric power generator with Y-type structure using electrochemical deposition process

Abstract

The harvest of thermal energy using the thermoelectric (TE) effect is one of the potential methods for body area network power sources. This paper demonstrates a new approach of an electrochemical deposition process to fabricate self-endurance flexible thermoelectric generators (FTEGs). A novel idea of lateral Y-type TE cells instead of conventional vertical π-type cells is proposed to enhance the performance of the temperature harvest. On the other hand, the thick films of thermoelectric materials (N type-bismuth telluride and P type- antimony telluride) are successfully synthesized. For the first time, the electrochemical deposition of thermoelectric materials is used to integrate thermoelectric materials with a flexible support, where a silicon substrate is used as a sacrificial material. With the temperature difference between the human body (approximately 37°C) and ambient environment (15°C) using natural convection, the device can generate approximately 3µW/cm2 of output power density.