The University of Washington has unveiled a ground-breaking development in wearable technology; A stretchable thermoelectric device that powers itself using body heat. This innovation, which can illuminate an LED solely through the warmth of human skin, eliminates the need for batteries in certain applications and opens up new possibilities in sustainable, energy-harvesting wearables.
According to Mohammad Malakooti, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UW and the lead researcher, this device is a significant leap from current wearables.
“When you put this device on your skin, it uses your body heat to directly power an LED. As soon as you put the device on, the LED lights up. This wasn’t possible before,”
Malakooti further highlighted the device’s durability, mentioning that it remains fully functional even after being stretched over 2,000 times or punctured multiple times, a testament to its resilience.
The implications of this technology are immense, Beyond powering wearables, these devices could be applied in data centres, where the excess heat from computing equipment could be repurposed to power sensors, cutting down on energy costs.
“You can imagine sticking these onto warm electronics and using that excess heat to power small sensors,”
The project has gained attention from both industry and academia. The research, funded by the National Science Foundation, Meta, and The Boeing Company, reflects growing interest in developing sustainable technologies. Boeing, in particular, is enthusiastic about the potential applications in both wearable tech and industrial settings, where energy efficiency is increasingly prioritised.
Youngshang Han, a doctoral student and lead author on the paper, expressed excitement about future possibilities:
“One unique aspect of our research is that it covers the whole spectrum, from material synthesis to device fabrication and characterisation. This gives us the freedom to design new materials, engineer every step, and be creative,”
With interest from large companies and potential for broader applications beyond wearables, similar to those in virtual reality and industrial sensors, the University of Washington’s latest innovation represents a key step toward a more sustainable, battery-free future.
