US 2022/0013704 A1 · FLEXIBLE THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES

Abstract

Thermoelectric devices (TE) devices may be used to power wearable electronics, such as watches and sensors by harvesting heat from the body. These TE devices may fully power or partially power the wearable devices to extend a usage time, or to recharge a battery. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide heating and/or cooling. The TE devices can be integrated into garments such as clothes, vests, and armbands for outdoor and indoor environments. For outdoor environments, applications include, but are not limited to, sports such as golfing, bicycling, running, walking, training, soccer, hiking, and other outdoor activities related to occupations, such as construction, fire-fighting, military operations, law enforcement, farming, underground mining, and so on. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide thermal camouflaging for people and objects so as to not be seen by thermal imaging devices.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A flexible thermoelectric material comprising:

thermoelectric pillars each exhibiting a thermoelectric property;
flexible electrodes electrically interconnecting adjacent ones of the thermoelectric pillars;
a flexible top sheet in thermal contact with top surfaces of the thermoelectric pillars;
and
a flexible bottom sheet in thermal contact with bottom surfaces of the thermoelectric pillars.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible thermoelectric devices

Life of this patent

Flexible thermoelectric devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26