Fully Printed Thermogalvanic Modules for Low-Grade Energy Harvesting

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Conversion
• Sustainable Technology

Background:

• Thermogalvanic cells offer a sustainable route for low-grade heat energy harvesting.
• Challenges in modular integration and manufacturability hinder practical applications.
• Need for scalable and cost-effective fabrication methods for thermogalvanic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fully printed thermogalvanic module (TGM) for scalable ambient heat harvesting.
• To demonstrate an additive fabrication strategy for complex thermogalvanic architectures.
• To assess the performance of the printed TGM in terms of thermopower and output power.

Main Methods:

• Utilized screen printing for hybrid current collectors and activated carbon electrodes.
• Integrated an adhesive sealing layer and laser-drilled spacer for module assembly.
• Employed a fully additive and scalable fabrication strategy, avoiding traditional stacking and wiring.
• Tested a 36-cell TGM using widely available aqueous electrolytes.

Main Results:

• Achieved a reproducible thermopower of 38 mV K⁻¹.
• Demonstrated a peak output power of 9 μW under a 14 K temperature difference.
• Successfully fabricated a complex, multi-cell thermogalvanic module using an additive approach.

Conclusions:

• The developed fully printed TGM presents a practical pathway for large-area ambient heat harvesting.
• The additive fabrication strategy overcomes limitations in modular integration and manufacturability.
• This technology holds potential for integration into flexible and wearable energy platforms.