Wireless Seebeck Power

A complex array of wireless sensors used to monitor power plant performance requires a continuous power source, which is not currently available without replacing batteries. Self-powered sensors are sought that can collect from the ambient environment, energy that is currently lost, as opposed to supplying the power with batteries that frequently need replacement or central power from an expensive grid. The development of a new class of thermoelectric nanodevices is proposed, that efficiently convert thermal energy into electrical power. They will provide up to 330 mW-hr per square cm at a low cost of only $5 per square cm, due to low material cost coupled with simple manufacturability applied to a large number of units. These units will provide reliable power to wireless sensor systems because of the constant thermal gradient within power plants. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: These devices will allow for the development of more efficient and low-cost power scavenging technology that will provide a new means to design and implement wireless sensor systems. In addition, this could be developed and expanded as a method to collect the energy from engines to improve power generation efficiency by collecting thermal energy that is normally lost to the environment.