Latvian Scientists Turn Body Heat into Electricity Using Nanocomposites
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Researchers in Latvia have developed innovative nanocomposite materials capable of converting human body heat into electrical energy, opening new possibilities for self-powered microelectronics and sensors.
The technology is based on flexible thermoelectric materials that generate electricity from the natural temperature difference between the human body and the surrounding environment. Unlike traditional rigid thermoelectric materials, these nanocomposites remain lightweight, flexible, and suitable for wearable applications.
The core of the innovation lies in combining carbon nanotube networks with bismuth- and antimony-based thermoelectric nanostructures, encapsulated in biocompatible polymers. This architecture allows efficient heat-to-electricity conversion while maintaining mechanical durability and comfort for skin contact.
According to the researchers, the human body continuously releases thermal energy—up to around 100 watts—most of which is normally lost to the environment. By harvesting even a small fraction of this energy, the developed technology can power low-energy devices such as wearable health sensors, environmental monitoring systems, and autonomous IoT devices, without the need for batteries.
One of the key advantages of the technology is its ability to operate in darkness, indoors, and in cold environments, where solar energy is unavailable. This makes thermoelectric energy harvesting especially attractive for medical wearables and long-term monitoring applications.
The research team is currently testing prototype flexible thermoelectric generators, including patch-like devices designed to be worn on the body. These prototypes demonstrate stable performance under real-life conditions, including bending and continuous wear.
The development represents an important step toward a battery-free future, reducing electronic waste and dependence on critical raw materials used in conventional batteries.
TEPOWER builds on this scientific foundation to bring the technology closer to real-world applications in wearable electronics and self-powered sensor systems.