KiriTEG - Innovative manufacturing approach to making flexible thermal energy harvesting devices

KiriTEG is a novel approach to producing enabling materials and process technology for self powered wireless sensors and systems. ETL and QMUL in collaboration, have submitted a patent on the manufacturing process. We are now at a unique point to develop this process, build on, and exploit our IP on thermoelectric materials knowledge developed in previous work. The project will undertake industrial research of both organic and inorganic thermoelectric materials to enable flexible devices, and the development of the manufacturing process to allow 3D products to be formed from 2D shapes but focused on nearer term exploitation of temperature gradients for thermal energy harvesting. We will leverage certain large area electronics techniques where applicable, to allow shorter routes to commercialise product development. The manufacturing process will enable new routes for other harvesting devices using different methods for heat, vibration, and motion. The materials and process will both enable improvements in mechanical durability and robustness, and with their flexibility allow uptake into the wearable products sector. We will specifically target a low cost route to allow ubiquitous uptake for both marine, automotive -- specifically electric and autonomous vehicles, industrial and consumer products, supporting the Internet of Things (IoT).

Future IoT products especially in remote locations have increasing attraction if they are "fit and forget". Through this project, we will create flexible, and durable thermoelectric materials, develop the manufacturing process, and demonstrate in a prototype thermal energy harvester, establishing a platform for next generation energy harvesting device manufacturing.