Tunable thermo-triboelectric energy harvesting using human body heat for self-powered applications

Abstract

We demonstrate a novel tunable thermo-triboelectric energy harvesting system for the use of human body heat as an energy source of self-powered applications. Magneto-Thermoelectric Generator platforms have potential to provide new approach for thermal energy harvesting. The concept of MTG stems from a radically different technology developed by UCLA/KPU research community for harvesting of thermal energy. The proposed approach can convert thermal energy from human body heat into electricity by pairing triboelectric effect and MTG concept. The focus of this research is to determine the technical feasibility of presented technology platform for the consistent and efficient power performance using low temperature gradient from human body heat, including experimental characterization of a prototype fabricated.