Robust Autonomous Power Generation for UGS Employing High Efficiency Thermoelectrics

One of the greatest challenges facing UGS networks is the availability of power to run critical processes. Most current technologies employ off-the-shelf batteries which require replacement every 6mnths or so. Battery replacement in a UGS deployment for border security is not only costly, but in some terrains nearly impossible. Ideally, UGS field components would harness power from the environment by a robust module capable of being emplaced along the entire border without compromising camouflage schemes. Biophan Technologies, Inc. through its thermoelectric division TE-Bio, LLC, proposes to use the waste heat recovery capabilities of its robust high-efficiency thermoelectric materials to utilize natural temperature gradients, greatly extending the lifetime of standard and microsensor motes. In Phase I, Biophan is looking to design a reliable thermoelectric power generation module for the UGS network capable of extending the life of traditional UGS components to two years and completely powering next generation microsensors, eliminating the need for a battery. Thermoelectrics are solid state devices with no moving parts and no chemical reservoirs. They have demonstrated life cycles greater than 30 years. The successful design of a UGS thermoelectric module requires optimization of the thermoelectric serial circuit, heat load considerations, thermal packaging design, weather survivability, as well as mechanical considerations for emplacement modality and handling.