1172
(Invited) Flexible and Stretchable Thermoelectric Generators

Tuesday, 3 October 2017: 09:00
Chesapeake F (Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center)
M. M. Hussain (KAUST), J. P. Rojas (KFUPM), D. N. Singh, G. A. Torres Sevilla (KAUST), H. M. Fahad (UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY), and S. B. Inayat (KAUST)
Thermoelectricity can be an interesting source of power from otherwise wasted heat. Therefore, for many decades discovery and optimization of new thermoelectric materials has shown important leap toward thermoelectric generator applications. However, from an engineering perspective, structural modifications at the device level can play an important role to maximize the power output. We base our study on device architecture reconfiguration by adopting various in-plane and out-of-plane fractal design to develop flexible and stretchable thermoelectric generator. Physical flexibility allows the devices to be conforming to asymmetric surfaces and mechanical stretching allows to dynamically controlling the distance between the hot and cold end in a thermoelectric generator. This way, one can tune the distance, maximize the temperature difference and maintain a high temperature difference which directly relates to efficiency of a thermoelectric generator. Adopting low cost materials like paper and Off-Stoichiometry Thiol-Enes (OSTE) as structural materials we demonstrate the integration strategy to rationally design materials, processes and devices for flexible and stretchable thermoelectric generators.