[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A thermoelectric material that can be stretched by hand and recovers to conduct electricity even when crumpled or torn has been developed. Thermoelectric materials generate electricity based on temperature changes, and it is expected that this will enable the development of 'smart clothes' that convert body heat into electrical energy in the future.
The research teams led by Professor Jang Sung-yeon from the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology and Professor Jeon Ju-won from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Kookmin University announced on the 18th that their joint research results were published in Energy & Environmental Science, an international journal in the field of energy materials.
Organic Thermoelectric Material That Reattaches Even When Torn
The research team developed an 'ionic polymer thermoelectric material' that simultaneously possesses self-healing ability and elasticity. They created an organic-based thermoelectric material with high thermoelectric conversion performance using conductive polymers and electrolyte polymers.
This material generates voltage by moving ions instead of electrons, resulting in excellent thermoelectric conversion efficiency. The thermoelectric performance index of this material reaches 1.04, which is the highest level among existing organic thermoelectric materials. The thermoelectric performance index of typical organic thermoelectric materials is below 0.3. This index indicates the ability to convert temperature differences (temperature gradients) within the material into electrical energy.
Additionally, due to physical crosslinking within its structure, it has very high elasticity. It can stretch up to 7.5 times its original length.
It also has the ability to self-heal from tears and damage. It maintains thermoelectric performance even after repeated stretching and cutting.
Professor Jeon Ju-won explained, "We developed a high-performance thermoelectric material with elasticity and self-healing properties by compounding conjugated conductive polymers and electrolyte polymers and adding a physical crosslinker that can form hydrogen bonds and polar bonds with them."
Can Be Manufactured as an Energy Device That Produces and Stores Electricity
Professor Jeon Juwon of Kookmin University (from the right), Professor Jang Sungyeon of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
The research team stated that using this thermoelectric material, it is possible to manufacture energy devices that produce and immediately store electrical energy. They also manufactured a thermoelectric-supercapacitor hybrid energy device using the developed thermoelectric material. Since the amount of power generated by thermoelectric generation is not constant, storing electricity allows for more efficient use of the generated power.
Professor Jang Sung-yeon emphasized, "With this research, we have developed the first organic thermoelectric material that simultaneously possesses high thermoelectric conversion efficiency and self-healing properties," adding, "This is significant as it provides a new material for generating electricity in the development of wearable self-powered devices in the future."
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