Thermoelectricity for IoT – A review. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haras, Maciej; Skotnicki, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 54(2018)
• Page Start: 461
• Page End: 476
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.10.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: We are witnessing an unprecedented expansion of Internet of Things ( IoT ) market, whose nodes are already outnumbering human population several times. Despite the huge popularity of IoT, its further expansion is slowed down by a lack of viable power supply methods capable to replace wires or batteries. Due to IoT demand for alternative supply, energy harvesting ( EH ) gathers attention from scientific groups all around the world. In particular, thermoelectricity ( TE ) seems to be a natural and intuitive candidate for IoT owing to magnitude and omnipresence of heat losses and amenability to direct, vibrationless, noiseless and reliable conversion. This review provides up-to-date comparison and evaluation of a recent progress in the field of thermoelectricity, resulting primarily from multidisciplinary optimization of materials, topologies and controlling circuitry. The improvement in materials integrates two trends: nanostructural modulation of pre-existing, conventional thermoelectric materials and synthesis of novel ones. Regarding topology, TE responds better and better to miniaturization trend of semiconductor industry, driven by miniaturization trend, by proposing alternatives to conventional π-type topology. And finally, recently developed controlling circuits consume extremely low power while idle, exhibit above-90% efficiency and start-up with ultra-low input voltages. Combined, these improvements position TE closer to marketization than ever before. Highlights: Internet of Things market quantification, future growth and needs identified. Energy harvesting methods hierarchy and their common performance presented. Fossil fuels and heat losses availability, quantification and reserves highlighted. Scientific/commercial thermoelectric topologies, materials and performance reviewed. Performance of energy management circuits for thermo-generators compared. Graphical abstract: