Science Daily April 9, 2024
Researchers at the University of Utah investigated a pyro electrochemical cell (PEC) as a novel device concept for direct conversion of thermal energy to stored electrochemical energy. The PEC integrated a porous, pyroelectric separator within a supercapacitor. The pyroelectric separator induced an electric field within the PEC when exposed to a temperature change with time. The electric field drove ions into electrode double layers to charge the cell. Experimental results were coupled with simulations to explore PEC response when thermally cycled, with predicted pyroelectric orientation effects observed in two tests. The pyroelectric separator showed a 155% increase in measured current upon heating. Under open circuit conditions, the PEC charged by 0.65 mV after four applications of a 20–30–20 °C thermal cycle. Simulations confirmed that the PEC self-charges by pyroelectric field-driven ion flux. According to the researchers with optimization of the pyroelectric separator PEC is a new energy source for low power Internet of Things sensors… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
A pyro electrochemical (PEC) cell is a device that converts thermal energy into electricity and stores it. Credit: Brian Maffly