The Nature of Heat Exchange of Human Body with the Environment and Prospects of Wearable TEGs

Abstract

Impressive advances in microelectronics and electronic devices (e-devices) technology have led to a radical reduction in energy consumption and cost of individual wearable sensors, information, storage, and other devices that could make such devices affordable for all segments of the population.

Reasonably to suggest that, soon, mankind will enter a new era of electronic technology – nanoelectronics – and begin production of e-devices with energy consumption reduced by orders of magnitude and significant increase in functionality.

So, state-of-the-art e-devices manufactured with modern microelectronics and future e-devices manufactured with nanoelectronic technology could be spread among Earth’s population in billions of pcs as individual wearable gadgets. But every such e-device requires small battery for functioning and its recharge or change after certain period. This is a problem, since it does not provide constant operational readiness of e-device at anytime and anywhere. Problem can be solved with wearable low-power generator of photovoltaic or thermoelectric type. Among two solutions, thermoelectric generator (TEG) can convert thermal radiation into electrical energy at any time of the day, including in dark and nighttime and in bad weather conditions, i.e., to be in constant operational readiness always.

Features of converting thermal radiation energy to electrical power are considered. Special attention is paid to thermal energy (heat) production of the human body and use for thermoelectric generation. Estimates of achievable density of electrical power generated by wearable TEG using human thermal energy are made.