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Thermo-Electric Generator Powered by Body Heat

posted by n1 on Sunday April 13 2014, @11:48PM   Printer-friendly
from the environmentally-conscious-fornication dept.

prospectacle writes:

Researchers at The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a thermo-electric generator which resides in a light, flexible glass-fabric, and which can be powered by body heat.

When using KAIST's TE generator (with a size of 10 cm x 10 cm) for a wearable wristband device, it will produce around 40 mW electric power based on the temperature difference of 31 degrees F between human skin and the surrounding air.

To put this in context: Based on Table 9 ("Average System Power (mW)") of this research paper into smart-phone power consumption (based on the Openmoko Neo Freerunner) we'd need at least 10 times that (400 to 1100 mW) to power our phones.

 
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  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by tftp on Monday April 14 2014, @01:15AM

    by tftp (806) on Monday April 14 2014, @01:15AM (#31086) Homepage

    Place like this a solar panel might be a better bet.

    Just make sure that you have all your emergencies in daytime :-)

    Clearly, the ideal emergency recharge pack should combine all accessible energy harvesting methods: thermoelectric, solar, and muscle power too. Wind power is too unreliable, and there is no wind in places where most of the population lives. This pack cannot be small, but it can be foldable and lightweight. Most people won't need it. Those who do will carry it as an item in their backpack. Embedding it into the phone is not very practical, IMO. Here is one example [voltaicsystems.com]. I have their solar panel and an external battery pack (for a project.)

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  • (Score: 2) by sjames on Monday April 14 2014, @07:38PM

    by sjames (2882) on Monday April 14 2014, @07:38PM (#31499) Journal

    Thermal is a good bet for an emergency power pack, but not from your wrist. Make it tolerate the heat of a wood fire and preferably also able to work with solar heating of the hot side.

    The hand crank is less convenient but even more reliable source of power.