Thermal Energy Harvesting on the Bodily Surfaces of Arms and Legs through a Wearable Thermo-Electric Generator

• DOI: 10.3390/s18061927
• Publication Date: 2018-06-13T14:45:35Z
• Authors: Antonino Proto; Daniele Bibbo; Martin Cerny; David Vala; Vladimir Kasik; Lukas Peter; Silvia Conforto; Maurizio Schmid; Marek Penhaker
• Keywords: energy harvesting; Bioelectric Energy Sources; human daily activities; wearable device; TP1-1185; Walking; 02 engineering and technology; 7. Clean energy; Body temperature; Energy harvesting; Human daily activities; Thermoelectricity; Wearable device; thermoelectricity; Article; Body Temperature; Running; Wearable Electronic Devices; Electricity; Body temperature; Energy harvesting; Human daily activities; Thermoelectricity; Wearable device; Analytical Chemistry; Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics; Biochemistry; Instrumentation; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; Humans; Skin; Leg; Chemical technology; Temperature; Bicycling; Arm; body temperature; Locomotion

This work analyzes the results of measurements on thermal energy harvesting through a wearable Thermo-electric Generator (TEG) placed on the arms and legs. Four large skin areas were chosen as locations for the placement of the TEGs. In order to place the generator on the body, a special manufactured band guaranteed the proper contact between the skin and TEG. Preliminary measurements were performed to find out the value of the resistor load which maximizes the power output. Then, an experimental investigation was conducted for the measurement of harvested energy while users were performing daily activities, such as sitting, walking, jogging, and riding a bike. The generated power values were in the range from 5 to 50 μW. Moreover, a preliminary hypothesis based on the obtained results indicates the possibility to use TEGs on leg for the recognition of locomotion activities. It is due to the rather high and different biomechanical work, produced by the gastrocnemius muscle, while the user is walking rather than jogging or riding a bike. This result reflects a difference between temperatures associated with the performance of different activities.