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Thermal expansion and Thermal stress: Problem Solving01:27

Thermal expansion and Thermal stress: Problem Solving

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San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is exposed to temperatures ranging from -15 °C to 40 °C. At its coldest, the main span of the bridge is 1275 m long. Assuming that the bridge is made entirely of steel, what is the change in its length between these temperatures?
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In a nonhomogeneous rod made up of steel and brass, restrained at both ends and subjected to a temperature change, several steps are involved in calculating the stress and compressive load. Due to the problem's static indeterminacy, one end support is disconnected, allowing the rod to experience the temperature change freely. Next, an unknown force is applied at the free end, triggering deformations in the rod's steel and brass portions. These deformations are then calculated and added...
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Thermal Strain01:19

Thermal Strain

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Thermal strain is a concept that arises when we consider how temperature changes affect structures. Unlike the conventional assumption that structures remain constant under load, real-world scenarios often involve temperature fluctuations that can significantly impact these structures. Consider a homogeneous rod with a uniform cross-section resting freely on a flat horizontal surface. If the rod's temperature increases, the rod elongates. This elongation is proportional to the temperature...
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Elastic Strain Energy for Normal Stresses01:22

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Strain energy quantifies the energy stored within a material due to deformation under loading conditions, a fundamental concept in materials science and engineering. The strain energy can be modeled when a material is subjected to axial loading with uniformly distributed stress. In this scenario, the stress experienced by the material is the internal force divided by the cross-sectional area, and the strain induced is directly proportional to this stress through the modulus of elasticity.
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If the temperature of an object is changed while it is prevented from expanding or contracting, the object is subjected to stress. The stress is compressive if the object expands in the absence of constraint and tensile if it contracts. This stress resulting from temperature change is known as thermal stress. It can be quite large and can cause damage. To avoid this stress, engineers may design components so they can expand and contract freely. For instance, on highways, gaps are deliberately...
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Elastic Strain Energy for Shearing Stresses

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As discussed in previous lessons, strain energy in a material is the energy stored when it is elastically deformed, a concept crucial in materials science and mechanical engineering. This energy results from the internal work done against the cohesive forces within the material. When a material undergoes shearing stress and corresponding shearing strain, the strain energy density, which is the energy stored per unit volume, is calculated. Within the elastic limit, where the stress is...
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Robust bendable thermoelectric generators enabled by elasticity strengthening.

Wenjun Ding1, Xinyi Shen1, Min Jin2

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This study introduces highly flexible inorganic thermoelectric generators using engineered silver selenide (Ag2Se). These devices demonstrate exceptional bendability for powering wearable electronics using body heat.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Harvesting

Background:

  • Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer continuous power for wearable electronics using body heat.
  • Inorganic TEGs, while efficient, lack the flexibility required for wearable applications due to material rigidity.
  • Achieving recoverable flexibility in high-performance thermoelectrics is crucial for seamless integration into wearable devices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop highly elastic and recoverable inorganic thermoelectric generators for continuous wearable power.
  • To engineer the microstructure of silver selenide (Ag2Se) to enhance its elasticity and bending performance.
  • To demonstrate a viable strategy for creating robust, flexible TEGs for diverse body-worn applications.

Main Methods:

  • Microstructure engineering of Ag2Se through a multi-pass hot-rolling technique.
  • Inducing dense dislocations and refining grain structures to improve material elasticity.
  • Fabricating thin thermoelectric generators capable of large elastic strain and recoverable bending.

Main Results:

  • Achieved a record-breaking bendability of over 1,000,000 cycles at a 3 mm bending radius.
  • Demonstrated full recoverability of thermoelectric performance after extensive bending.
  • Exhibited extraordinary power density in the elastic thin thermoelectric generators.
  • Engineered Ag2Se exhibits significantly enhanced elasticity due to microstructure modifications.

Conclusions:

  • Microstructure engineering of Ag2Se via hot rolling provides a promising route to highly flexible inorganic thermoelectrics.
  • The developed elastic thin thermoelectric generators are suitable for curved surfaces on the human body.
  • This work presents a significant advancement for powerful and durable inorganic wearable thermoelectric devices.