Flexible energy conversion devices based on nonwoven fabrics.
IGF-Vorhaben Nr. 21511 BR (Research Council of Textiles e.V.)
Content
In the FlexEnergyCon project, the focus is on the development of a three-dimensional polymer network based on nonwoven fabrics with vertical fiber formation for application as flexible energy conversion devices (thermoelectric generators and Peltier elements).
Energy conversion processes are often significantly associated with unwanted heat loss. Only a small portion of this waste heat is utilized. A large part of the waste heat occurs in the low and medium temperature range (approximately 20 to 100 °C), where processes for energy recovery are usually not very efficient. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are solid-state energy converters that can convert temperature potentials into electrical energy. Materials used ideally should have good electrical but low thermal conductivity and exhibit a high Seebeck effect. The Seebeck effect indicates the voltage (in µV) that occurs at a certain temperature difference (in Kelvin) across the material. Thermoelectric materials are often inorganic semiconductors that contain rare elements (e.g. tellurium) or only exhibit relevant conductivity or Seebeck effects at high temperatures. Thermoelectric polymers do not rely on rare elements, operate at low temperatures, and can be processed using printing technologies, opening up new design possibilities for thermoelectric generators.
Together with the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut, the Chair of Materials Technology at TU Dresden is investigating the possibilities of producing TEGs from novel distance-needle-punched nonwoven fabrics and thermoelectric polymers in this project. This combines the advantageous thermal properties and cost-effective manufacturing possibilities of nonwoven fabrics with the flexibility of thermoelectric polymers. The research focus of the Chair of Materials Science lies in the stable synthesis of an n-type polymer (Poly[Ni-tto]), attempts at electrochemical deposition, and the incorporation of the polymers into the nonwoven fabric.
Contact Person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Leyens
Project Partner
Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI), Chemnitz