A group of researchers from CU Boulder has developed a small and low-cost wearable device that can transform the human body into what resembles a battery. These flexible wearable devices can be worn like a ring, bracelet, or any other accessory that touches the skin. The device harnesses the body's heat by using a thermoelectric generator that converts the body's internal temperature into simple electrical energy.
One researcher noted that they want to power wearable electronic devices without the need for batteries. The project team has managed to generate about one volt of electricity per square centimeter of skin, a voltage lower than what most current batteries of the same size produce. However, while the output voltage may be relatively small, researchers stated that it is sufficient to power some small electronics, such as smartwatches or fitness trackers that measure vital body metrics.
It is worth mentioning that other wearable thermoelectric devices have been created in the past, but the new device invented by the researchers can heal itself when damaged and fully recycle itself. The entire system design allows it to be stretched without causing stress or significant damage to the thermoelectric material, which is usually very fragile. When the body heats up and emits heat that dissipates into the surrounding environment, this new wearable device captures that heat and converts it into energy rather than wasting it.
Additionally, more power generation capacity can be added to the wearable device by incorporating more sets of these thermoelectric generators, meaning smaller units can be combined into a larger unit, similar to building something from Lego blocks. When the device reaches the end of its lifespan, it can be immersed in a solution that separates the electronic components from one another and dissolves the polyimide bases that form it, allowing the components to be reused for a complete recycling of the device. According to the researchers, the goal of this process and the overall project is to produce affordable devices with no harmful environmental impact.
