Wearable, Knitted 3D Spacer Thermoelectric Generator with Detachable p-n Junctions for Body Heat Energy Harvesting

Textile-based thermoelectric (TE) devices are being investigated to power smart textiles autonomously. While previous research has focused on a solid system where the required junctions are fabricated into the device, there has been limited attention given to replacing these TE systems reliably. This work looks at a newer approach to the construction and demonstration of a wearable thermoelectric structure that employs three-dimensional knitted spacers to increase the temperature difference where the TE junctions are detachable and disposable. This system features positive and negative junctions which can be removed while maintaining its excellent voltage generation in low ΔT and good Seebeck coefficients. A mathematical model simulates the potential energy outputs and maximum power points generated, which can be used to increase the device's performance for future wearable sensing applications.