Design And Fabrication Of Chained Flexible Thermoelectric Generator For Human Body Heat Energy Harvesting

Supported by the project entitled "Research on a micro flexible implantable power generator with thermoelectric-piezoelectric hybrid energy harvesting" from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.51275466), the design and manufacturing technology of chained flexible thermoelectric generator (FTEG) for harvesting human body heat energy were studied in this thesis. Firstly, a chained FTEG was designed, the thermoelectric modules in which were without the ceramic substrates. Secondly, the thermoelectric legs and the thermoelectric modules were fabricated, and the performance of the thermoelectric module was studied. Then, the modules were connected in series into a thermoelectric module array, and the chained FTEG was packaged. The measurement of the performance, stability and reliability of the chained FTEG were carried out. Finally, and the effects of different parameters on the output performance of the device were reaserched. The voltage step-up and driving experiment of the chained FTEG which was worn on the wrist were carried out.In Chapter 1, the background and significance of this research were introduced. Then, the current researches on the power supply for wearable electronics and the studies of the micro thermoelectric generators were expatiated, and the research contents of the thesis were proposed,In Chapter 2, based on the theories, the performance parameters, and the application of thermoelectric generator, the design of a chained FTEG for harvesting the body heat was presented,In Chapter 3, the experimental system and the corresponding pressing mold of the hot-pressing process were designed, the thermoelectric legs were fabricated by hot-pressing process and the wire-cut EDM process. Then, the thermoelectric module without the ceramic substrates was fabricated by vacuum soldering process. Finally, a measurement system was built to test the output performance of the thermoelectric module.In Chapter 4, the thermoelectric module array was fabricated by connecting the modules in series with FPCs. Then, the array was fixed into the 3D printed chain link by PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), and was packaged by silicone pad with high thermal conductivity and micro copper fins, respectively. Then, the output performance of the chained FTEG was studied.In Chapter 5, the experimental system of the chained FTEG which was worn on the wrist was developed. Then, the influence of various experimental parameters on the output performance was carried out. Finally, the open circuit voltage about 20 mV was generated and a LED was lighted after the voltage step-up circuit, when the FTEG was worn on the body.In Chapter 6, the chief work of this thesis was summarized, and the prospect of future research work.