Principle and Applications of Thermoelectric Generators: A Review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Sustainable deployment of technological ecosystems like the Internet of Things (IoT) requires autonomous sensors powered by environmental energy.
• Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer a viable solution for energy harvesting where temperature gradients exist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the operating principles of thermoelectric generators (TEGs).
• To comprehensively analyze and categorize recent literature applications of TEGs for powering low-power sensor nodes.
• To identify current challenges and future research opportunities in TEG technology for IoT.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of thermoelectric generator (TEG) applications.
• Classification of applications into five categories: domestic, industrial, natural heat, wearable, and others.
• Comparative analysis of thermal, mechanical, and electrical characteristics for each application.

Main Results:

• TEGs are a promising technology for powering autonomous sensors in various environments.
• Applications span diverse fields including domestic, industrial, natural heat, and wearable devices.
• Detailed comparisons highlight the performance metrics of different TEG implementations.

Conclusions:

• Thermoelectric generators are crucial for the sustainable expansion of the Internet of Things.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges and unlock the full potential of TEGs for low-power sensor networks.
• The review provides a roadmap for future advancements in thermoelectric energy harvesting.