Utilization of Commercial Peltier Thermoelectric Generators for Continuous Wearable Device Use

As wearable technology becomes increasingly integrated in areas of healthcare and common use, the demand for sustainable, long-duration power sources has intensified. While conventional batteries impose limitations due to their finite lifespans and bulk, a promising way to address these concerns is using thermoelectric generators (TEGs), which convert temperature gradients into electrical energy. However, high-performance TEG systems often depend on specialized materials and fabrication techniques that limit scalability and widespread commercialization. Therefore, it may be beneficial to step back and test already mass-produced TEGs within this environment of sustainable wearable technology. This study tests the practicality of commercial-grade Peltier 40x40 mm TEGs for the smaller temperature differential that the human body produces. Different numbers of TEGs are tested to determine the statistical significance of the voltage output of a variable 4-6 Peltier TEGs in series, and heat sinks are then added to determine their effectiveness on the total voltage output. While there was no statistical significance of adding more TEGs to the system, there was significance shown in adding the heat sink. The results suggest that while commercial-grade TEGs are not optimal in this environment, there needs to be a change to the system rather than the TEGs themselves, as TEGs cannot improve to a great extent due to the smaller temperature differential. This represents a significant milestone in the direction of future research on the path to sustainable, worn technology.