Wearable thermoelectric energy harvesting device

Perpetua Power Source Technologies, Inc. (Perpetua) has announced that it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research contract from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop and demonstrate a wearable thermoelectric generator solution that is capable of powering wireless sensors by harvesting available energy from body heat.

 

The project, which will be lead by Perpetua's Vice President of Technology Paul McClelland, will develop a wearable thermoelectric energy-harvesting prototype with integrated energy storage and power management electronics. The device (Flexible Thin-Film Thermoelectric Wearable Energy Harvester) will utilize Perpetua's flexible thin-film thermoelectric technology, which offers uniquely higher native voltages at low temperature differences. The renewable energy device will be engineered to provide sufficient power for a wireless transceiver, not require maintenance for >10 years, and be inexpensive to produce.

 

"The successful realization of medical wireless body area networks will require innovative energy solutions to allow for more frequent and longer term autonomous monitoring," said Paul McClelland. "Utilizing the human body as an energy source is a very appealing solution and Perpetua's flexible thermoelectric technology is uniquely suited for generating required levels of electrical energy from body heat to power wireless sensors."

 

Market applications include wireless body area network (WBAN) diagnostic systems for use in the healthcare industry for monitoring vital parameters in patients suffering from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Other applications may include military, security, sports medicine, and entertainment.

 

 

For more read : Energy Harvesting and Storage for Electronic Devices 2009-2019

 

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