Efficient self-powered wearable electronic systems enabled by microwave processed thermoelectric materials

The integrated body sensor networks are expected to dominate the future of healthcare, making a critical paradigm shift that will support people in comfort and security their own homes. Thermoelectric generators, this regard, can play crucial role as they steadily generate electricity from heat enable self-powered wearable or implantable medical, health, sports devices. This work provides comprehensive analysis operation optimization thermoelectric generators under different human conditions. design principles, system considerations, novel method synthesize materials specially designed for harvesting presented. limitations systems applications deliberated detail, feasibility eliminating heatsink enhancing is examined. N-type Bi2Te3-xSex was synthesized using approach based on field-induced decrystallization by microwave radiation achieve optimum properties. resulted amorphous-crystalline nanocomposites with simultaneously large thermopower small thermal conductivity around temperature. were fabricated optimized packaged flexible elastomers. devices generated up 150% higher voltage 600% more power compared commercial ones and, so far, best class applications.