Presentation Information
[17p-A24-5]Self-Powered Sensors Utilizing Thermocells
〇Lixian Jiang1, Shohei Horike2, Qingshuo Wei1,3 (1.AIST, 2.Kobe Univ., 3.Univ. Tsukuba)
Keywords:
Thermo-electrochemical cell,Seebeck coefficient,K3[Fe(CN)6]/K4[Fe(CN)6]/GdmCl
Thermocells, also known as thermogalvanic or thermo-electrochemical cells, are devices that convert heat directly into electrical energy using the principles of electrochemistry. Due to the substantial reaction entropy in redox reactions, the Seebeck coefficient of a thermocell typically reaches as high as 1 mV/K.
In this talk, we will present the development of self-powered sensors using single-leg thermocells of K3[Fe(CN)6]/K4[Fe(CN)6]/GdmCl to harvest body heat and solar thermal energy. A pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS) was selected for its low water vapor permeability, and its surface was modified to reduce the interfacial resistance. Two types of DC-DC converters, Asahi Microdevices AP4473 and Matrix Mercury, were evaluated for compatibility with these thermocells. The compact 1.5cm3 (1 cm×1 cm ×1.5 cm) device successfully powered the AP4473 converter to illuminate a light-emitting diode. A lager device (2.5 cm× 2.5 cm× 1.5cm) effectively drove the Matrix Mercury converter with blue tooth low power sensors. These self-powered sensors were able to wirelessly provide humidity and temperature data using solar thermal energy for approximately 4 hours per day during peak temperature difference in January.
In the later part, we will report the fabrication of thermocell devices comprising 35 legs using a modified soldering method and electrode treatment to enhance performance and reliability. The devices exhibited a peak voltage of 3.5 V at hot side temperature of 60 oC under natural cooling conditions. The thermocells integrated with a voltage detector IC and beacon, starting to drive the beacon in 100 seconds and transmitting signals over 600 times in a 15-minute period. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of thermocells as an alternative energy source, offering a cost-effective and streamlined solution for energy harvesting application.
In this talk, we will present the development of self-powered sensors using single-leg thermocells of K3[Fe(CN)6]/K4[Fe(CN)6]/GdmCl to harvest body heat and solar thermal energy. A pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS) was selected for its low water vapor permeability, and its surface was modified to reduce the interfacial resistance. Two types of DC-DC converters, Asahi Microdevices AP4473 and Matrix Mercury, were evaluated for compatibility with these thermocells. The compact 1.5cm3 (1 cm×1 cm ×1.5 cm) device successfully powered the AP4473 converter to illuminate a light-emitting diode. A lager device (2.5 cm× 2.5 cm× 1.5cm) effectively drove the Matrix Mercury converter with blue tooth low power sensors. These self-powered sensors were able to wirelessly provide humidity and temperature data using solar thermal energy for approximately 4 hours per day during peak temperature difference in January.
In the later part, we will report the fabrication of thermocell devices comprising 35 legs using a modified soldering method and electrode treatment to enhance performance and reliability. The devices exhibited a peak voltage of 3.5 V at hot side temperature of 60 oC under natural cooling conditions. The thermocells integrated with a voltage detector IC and beacon, starting to drive the beacon in 100 seconds and transmitting signals over 600 times in a 15-minute period. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of thermocells as an alternative energy source, offering a cost-effective and streamlined solution for energy harvesting application.
Comment
To browse or post comments, you must log in.Log in