• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.518-524
• /
• 2017

A flexible thermoelectric device using body heat has drawn attention as a power source for wearable devices. In this study, thermoelectric thick films were fabricated by cold pressing method using p-type antimony telluride and n-type bismuth telluride powders in accordance with specific loads. Thermoelectric thick films were denser and improved the electrical and thermoelectric properties while increasing the load of the cold pressing. The thickness of the specimen can be controlled by the amount of material; specimens were approximately 700 um in thickness. Flexible thermoelectric devices were manufactured by using the thermoelectric thick films on PI (Polyimide) substrate. The process is cheap, efficient, easy and scalable. Evaluation of power generation performance and flexibility on the fabricated flexible thermoelectric device was carried out. The flexible thermoelectric device has great flexibility and good performance and can be applied to wearable electronics as a power source.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2022

Recent advancement of Internet of Things (IoT) and energy harvesting technology enable realization of flexible thermoelectric energy harvester (f-TEH), with technological prowess for use in biomedical monitoring system integrated applications. To expand a flexible thermoelectric energy harvesting platform, the f-TEH must be required for optimized flexible thermoelectric materials and device structure. In response to these demands related to thermoelectric energy harvesting, many research groups have investigated various f-TEHs applied as a power source for wearable electronics. As a key member of the f-TEH, film-based f-TEHs possess significant applicability in research to realize self-powered wearable electronics, owing to their excellent flexibility, low thermal conductivity, and convenient fabrication process. Thus, based on the rapid growth of thermoelectric film technology, this review aims to overview comprehensively the f-TEH made of various inorganic/organic thermoelectric materials including developed fabrication methods, high thermoelectric performance, and wide-range applications.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2019

A flexible thermoelectric module, which consisted of 18 pairs of Bi₂Te₃-based hot-pressed p-n thermoelectric legs, were processed by filling the module inside with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and removing the top and bottom substrates. Its power generation properties and bending characteristics were measured. With putting the flexible module on the wrist, an open circuit voltage of 2.23 mV and a maximum output power of 1.69 ㎼ were generated during staying still. On the other hand, an open circuit voltage of 3.32 mV and a maximum output power of 3.41 ㎼ were obtained with walking motion. The resistance variation of the module was kept below 1% even after applying 30,000 bending cycles with a bending curvature radius of 25 mm.