Boosting thermoelectric performance of single-walled carbon nanotubes-based films through rational triple treatments

Inherent in humans is the capacity to perceive music and art, engaging both the visual and auditory senses, with profound effects on physiological and psychological states. Sound and light possess the remarkable ability to transform into thermal energy and, ultimately, electrical signals, playing a crucial role in human sensory perception. This research introduces a previously unmentioned synesthesia‐inspired image and sound recognition system, diverging from conventional image/sound acquisition techniques based on photo/mechanical‐electrical conversion. Leveraging the photo/acoustic‐thermal‐electric effects, the system utilizes micro‐/commercial thermoelectric devices as a conduit for energy conversion. It successfully discriminates monochromatic red, green, blue (RGB) and color coverage, showcasing its proficiency in distinguishing ten digital paintings. Additionally, by probing fiber responses to varied sound frequencies and loudness levels, the system achieves time‐domain identification of four classical music compositions. The device exhibits high sensitivity to detecting input energy and its inputting rate power, offering a novel approach to image and sound recognition through thermal signals. Potential applications span from bionic image sensors and time‐domain thermal monitoring of audio. With further exploration, this thermoelectric‐based system holds promise in quantifying emotional responses to images and sound.

Visual‐Audio Thermoelectric Detectors for Images and Sound Recognition

Liu,

Zhang,

et al. 2024

Hydrogel‐Based Functional Materials for Thermoelectric Applications: Progress and Perspectives

Zhang,

Shi,

Liu

et al. 2024

Hydrogels are renowned for their complex structures and unique physicochemical properties, establishing them as key materials in bioenergy harvesting applications. They are used in various applications, including triboelectric nanogenerators, piezoelectric, hydraulic, thermoelectric, and biofuel cells. Among these, hydrogels as key materials for thermoelectric applications represent a technology capable of continuously converting biological energy (thermal energy) into electrical energy. This technology shows great potential and commercial value in body monitoring, energy storage, and human‐machine interaction applications. Given its rapid development, a timely review focusing on the research progress of hydrogels and their composites in thermoelectric technology is presented. This review discusses various types of hydrogels used for thermoelectric power generation and refrigeration, their unique properties, strategies for enhancing their thermoelectric performance, and their applications in the field. Finally, the remaining challenges and feasible strategies are identified for improving the efficiency, stability, application range, and system‐level integration of next‐generation hydrogels for thermoelectric applications.

High‐Performance GeSe‐Based Thermoelectrics via Cu‐Doping

Zhang,

Shi,

Mao

et al. 2024

Rhombohedral GeSe is a promising p‐type thermoelectric material, noted for its low toxicity, environmental friendliness, and greater affordability compared with tellurides. However, its thermoelectric performance still requires further enhancement for practical applications. In this work, a highly competitive peak figure of merit (ZT) of 1.24 at 623 K for p‐type polycrystalline Ge0.895Cu0.005Se0.9(AgBiTe2)0.1, along with a high average ZT of 0.74 between 323 K and 623 K is reported. Comprehensive micro/nanostructural characterization reveals that alloying with AgBiTe2 and doping with Cu successfully induce dense point defects, secondary Ag2Te phases, and various nanoprecipitates in the GeSe matrix. These abundant crystalline and lattice defects result in strong phonon scattering, leading to an ultra‐low lattice thermal conductivity of 0.35 W m−1 K−1 at 623 K. Moreover, Cu doping enhances carrier mobility, promoting decoupling between carriers and phonons. This allows for low thermal conductivity and high power factor coexistence to achieve a high ZT. Additionally, with a temperature difference of 325 K, the theoretical energy conversion efficiency reaches up to 8.5%, indicating great potential for medium‐temperature device applications. This work suggests that Cu doping is an effective strategy for achieving high thermoelectric performance in rhombohedral GeSe‐based materials.