Flexible organic thermoelectric conversion elements and modules

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ID
146811
Uploaded by
Denak Co.,Ltd.
Type
Technology
Source
User uploads
Published
2022/09/14
Updated
2022/12/20
Email Owner
Denka Co., Ltd.
 We develop flexible organic thermoelectric conversion elements and modules. This makes it possible to increase the area, reduce the thickness, and reduce the weight by adopting the printing method, and it is superior to the ceramic-based thermoelectric conversion element in follow-up property to the curved portion and the uneven portion, lamination property, and durability of the electrode portion.
We develop flexible organic thermoelectric conversion elements and modules. We focused on the application of conductive polymers as thermoelectric conversion materials as early as possible, and by combining this with fibrous carbon-based conductive materials, we created advanced conductive materials that do not allow other companies to follow up. Based on this conductive material, a technology to generate sufficient potential difference utilizing the Seebeck effect by forming and combining p-type semiconductor and n-type semiconductor, respectively, was established.
 Typical thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor in vertical direction to a contact surface serving as a heat source to secure a temperature difference in a vertical direction to generate a potential difference and extract it as electric energy. In this structural design, the height (thickness) of the element and module from the contact surface becomes large in order to ensure a sufficient temperature difference. As a consequence, the desired thinning film cannot be achieved and also the flexibility is compromised. For the arrangement of p-type semiconductors and n-type semiconductors, we have made possible modules with thin film and flexibility of thermoelectric conversion elements by placing each in-plane direction (parallel to the heat source contact surface) and placing suitable heat insulating materials and heat conductive materials (heat radiating materials) to ensure temperature differences. In addition, by adopting various coating methods and printing methods, the thermoelectric conversion elements and modules can be made larger in area, continuous sheet, and highly integrated.
 From the above, the thermoelectric conversion elements and modules developed by us are excellent in conductivity and flexibility, and can be thinned and enlarged in area from a unique structural design in which semiconductors are arranged in the in-plane direction, and it is expected that they will become a core product as the next-generation thermoelectric conversion elements and modules. What is noticed as an application is IoT device with various sensors which show the rapid spread recently. Environmental sensors, etc. are started at each device/facility of the factory and plant, and they are utilized for abnormality/trouble diagnosis, and the operation of IoT device can be handled without power supply/battery. In addition, the possibility of utilizing waste heat from automobiles such as EVs is also examined. It is considered that the requirement characteristics such as ease of handling and flexibility and weight reduction are more suitable for these applications than the conventional ceramics system.
From the viewpoint of global environmental protection and carbon neutrality (reduction of fossil fuel) in recent years, energy harvesting technology which converts energy existing in various forms into electric power is noticed in the global environment. Since this technology can be applied as a long-term energy source without fueling, it is considered essential for the realization of smart society in the future. Through this development, we wish to contribute positively to the realization of a smart society from the perspective of energy harvest.
※Patent 6329828, JP 2019-036599, JP 2021-015890, JP 2021-150303
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