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Science and Technology
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Generating power with a thin, flexible thermoelectric film


Published on 2024-12-12 16:02:18 - Ars Technica
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  • Flexible thermoelectric devices, or F-TEDs, can convert thermal energy into electric power. The problem is that F-TEDs weren't actually flexible enough to comfortably wear or efficient enough to power even a smartwatch. They were also very expensive to make.

The article from Ars Technica discusses a breakthrough in thermoelectric materials, focusing on a new flexible and efficient material developed by researchers at the University of Houston. This material, which combines organic and inorganic components, significantly enhances the conversion of waste heat into electricity. Traditional thermoelectric materials are often rigid and less efficient, but this new composite material uses a blend of PEDOT:PSS (a conductive polymer) and tellurium nanowires, achieving a high figure of merit (ZT) of 1.7 at room temperature. This advancement not only makes the material more flexible, allowing it to be used in wearable technology or curved surfaces, but also increases its efficiency in converting heat to electricity, potentially revolutionizing energy harvesting from waste heat in various applications, from industrial processes to everyday electronics.

Read the Full Ars Technica Article at:
[ https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/12/thermoelectric-material-gets-flexible-efficient/ ]