Creating stretchable thermoelectric generators

Science Daily  March 24, 2020
An international team of researchers (Sweden, USA – California Polytechnic University, New Zealand, Belgium) combined three materials: the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS, a water-soluble polyurethane rubber, and an ionic liquid resulting in a composite with unique properties. The PEDOT:PSS gives it thermoelectric properties – the rubber provides elasticity, and the ionic liquid ensures softness. The material is 100 times softer and 100 times more stretchable than PEDOT:PSS. It can be printed onto various surfaces. When the surface flexes or folds, the composite follows the motion. The process to manufacture the composite is cheap and environmentally friendly. There are many ionic liquids, conducting polymers and traditional elastomers that can be combined to give new nanocomposites for many applications, such as thermoelectric generators, supercapacitors, batteries, sensors, and in wearable and implantable applications that require thick, elastic and electrically conducting materials…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE