Nanostructured thermoelectric material and device technology for energy harvesting applications

Author

Stokes, C. David ; Duff, Eric A. ; Mantini, Mike J. ; Grant, Brian A. ; Venkatasubramanian, Rama

Author_Institution

RTI Int., RTP, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

fYear

2010

fDate

12-15 Oct. 2010

Firstpage

154

Lastpage

159

Abstract

There is increasing need for self-sufficient power sources for wireless sensors and electronics that can extend device performance beyond what is available from conventional batteries. Thermoelectric approaches for developing such power sources using geothermal and body heat are attractive. RTI has developed a prototype “thermal ground stake” wireless sensor node powered by thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting that lends itself to unattended ground sensors for covert military and security operations where TE powered sensors are concealed in the ground. In another application, RTI International and QUASAR are jointly developing an integrated body-worn biosensor system powered by body heat thermoelectric energy harvesting.

Keywords

body sensor networks; energy harvesting; nanostructured materials; thermoelectric devices; RTI; body worn biosensor; energy harvesting; nanostructured thermoelectric material; power sources; thermal ground stake; unattended ground sensors; wireless sensors; Energy harvesting; Heating; Thermal sensors; Transmitters; Wireless communication; Wireless sensor networks;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Nanotechnology Materials and Devices Conference (NMDC), 2010 IEEE

Conference_Location

Monterey, CA

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-8896-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NMDC.2010.5652061

Filename

5652061