Chinese researchers have made a significant breakthrough by developing high-performance thermoelectric plastics, opening new horizons for applications in wearable electronics and beyond.
This innovative material combines lightness and flexibility, enabling it to generate electricity from temperature differences. Such a property holds immense potential for powering wearable devices and creating temperature-regulating clothing.
The study was conducted by a collaborative team from the Institute of Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS), Beihang University, and other institutes. Their findings were recently published in the prestigious journal Nature.
“Many conductive polymers can serve as thermoelectric materials. When a temperature gradient is applied, an electromotive force is generated between the two ends of the material,” explained Di Chong’an, the study’s corresponding author and a researcher at ICCAS. “Conversely, applying voltage across these materials can create a temperature gradient.”
This dual phenomenon suggests that lightweight and flexible plastics can be harnessed for thermoelectric power generation. “It paves the way for the development of adhesive and wearable electronics, as well as temperature-regulating garments,” Di added.
In their research, the team developed a thermoelectric material known as polymeric multi-heterojunction (PMHJ). This material’s thermoelectric performance surpasses that of commercially available counterparts operating in the same temperature range.
Moreover, the PMHJ structure is compatible with solution coating methods. This compatibility is crucial for producing large-area plastic thermoelectrics, making the technology more accessible and cost-effective for wearable applications.
The advancement signifies a meaningful step toward affordable and efficient wearable thermoelectric technologies, potentially transforming how electronic devices are powered and how thermal energy is managed in clothing.
Reference(s):
Chinese researchers develop high-performance thermoelectric plastics
cgtn.com
