Power generation modeling for a wearable thermoelectric energy harvester with practical limitations

Kyle Pietrzyk, Joseph Soares, Brandon Ohara and Hohyun Lee

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 183, issue C, 218-228

Abstract: Recent studies on improving the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) have advanced research into self-powered, wearable technologies using thermoelectric generators. However, previous design approaches do not consider structurally practical heat sink and module geometries, the use of a boost converter, or the size constraint of the generator due to aesthetic appeal, all of which lower the overall power output. Additionally, the reduced efficiency in using a boost converter changes the electrical and thermal load matching conditions for maximum power. In this study, the limitations of practicality were considered for a wearable thermoelectric generator that utilizes a state-of-the-art boost converter and an optimized heat sink. Heat sink fin geometries and thermoelectric module geometries were explored to maximize the power output within a 42.0cm2 area and a 1.0cm total height, in order to justify the wearability of the energy harvester. With optimized values of fin and module heights, the system was designed to produce 0.48mW of electrical power at a boosted output voltage of 3.0V, enough to power a small heart-rate monitor.

Keywords: Boost converter; Practicality consideration; Module geometry; Heat sink optimization; Thermal load matching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.186

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