High-performance waterproof flexible thermoelectric generators for self-powered electronics

Flexible and wearable thermoelectric generators (TEG) have emerged as promising energy sources for wearable health-monitoring devices. However, common thermoelectric generators are difficult to be applied to a wide range of application scenarios due to their poor durability, low output power, and susceptibility to human sweat or underwater environments. Here, we propose a waterproof wearable TEG with a gap structure. Through structural optimization and full-coverage elastomer encapsulation, the wearable TEG has a maximum power density of 4.38 mW∙cm−2 at a temperature difference (ΔT) of 30 K and exhibits good stability under aqueous environments, which is capable of supplying power to electronic devices even under submerged conditions. The internal resistance of wearable TEG changes by less than 10 % at 50 % stretch or 900 degrees of torsion, showing good flexibility and mechanical stability. Based on this, we designed an energy harvesting and management system to help wearable TEG collect and utilize energy on demand, and successfully implemented wireless transmission of human skin temperature data for underwater environments and real-time electrocardiograms (ECG) tests for health detection in air environments. This research provides a reliable method for powering wearable electronic devices using thermoelectric generators. © 2024