Author(s)

Ze Gao ¹, Haifeng Chen ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, China

Corresponding Author

Haifeng Chen

ABSTRACT

Thermoelectric devices have garnered significant attention in the field of thermal energy conversion due to their unique ability to utilize low-grade heat. However, most devices are limited in terms of application scope and stability due to the specific characteristics of the materials used. In contrast, hydrogels, with their excellent physicochemical properties such as stretchability, high thermal sensitivity, and portability, offer great potential in the field of flexible thermoelectric devices. In this study, we have developed a hydrogel-based thermoelectric device using the I⁻/I3−redox couple. This device demonstrates excellent stretchability, bendability, and a maximum thermal power of up to 0.65 mV/K. Additionally, it shows good sensitivity to human body signals, with excellent repeatability, making it a promising candidate for use as a comfortable electronic skin for human monitoring. Its potential applications are vast, including medical body monitoring and respiratory monitoring.

KEYWORDS

Thermoelectric devices, stretchable, high thermal sensitivity, human monitoring

CITE THIS PAPER

Ze Gao, Haifeng Chen, The flexible hydrogel ion thermoelectric devices for wearable applications. Frontiers in Power and Energy Systems (2025) Vol. 4: 7-13. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/fpes.2025.040102.

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