Experimental analysis of flexible thermoelectric generators used for self-powered devices

Thermoelectric generators are becoming a promising power source for wearable electronics and microtechnology. By creating energy from waste heat or a temperature gradient between dissimilar materials, thermoelectric generator provides an alternative to wired power that restricts movement and to batteries that challenge waste disposal. This study is an experimental evaluation of a flexible thermoelectric generator to determine how the energy generation performance is affected by varying several physical and operational parameters. The test parameters included the contact pressure between the generator and the temperature plates, several thermal interface materials, the device temperature, the temperature gradient between the hot and cold plates, and the bend radius of the flexible generator itself. The results showed that the most influential parameters were the contact pressure, which could affect the generation by 10–20 mW (increased by up to 83.3%), and the choice of thermal interface material (increased by up to 51.9%). •Flexible thermoelectric generators (TEG) are promising for self-powered devices.•Flexible thermoelectric generators (TEG) are promising for wearable electronics.•TEG performance is improved by maximum surface contact and constant pressure.•TEG performance is improved by highly conductive thermal interface material.