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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have developed an ultra-thin, flexible film capable of converting body heat into electricity
• This breakthrough in thermoelectric technology could power wearable devices like smartwatches or even cooling systems for phones and computers
• The film, made with advanced "nanobinders," is scalable, cost-effective, and offers record-high performance
🔭 The context: Thermoelectric devices harness the temperature difference between the human body and the air to generate electricity
• Traditional materials like bismuth telluride have limited flexibility, making commercial scaling difficult
• By introducing nanobinders and using screen-printing methods, the QUT team overcame these challenges, producing a versatile, printable A4-sized film
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Body heat as a renewable energy source could reduce reliance on traditional batteries, easing demand for finite resources like lithium
• The innovation aligns with the push for sustainable, low-impact energy solutions, especially as the global market for wearables and electronics expands
⏭️ What's next: The technology could revolutionize wearable electronics, powering health monitors, smartwatches, and even personal climate control systems
• Future developments may extend to cooling solutions for compact electronics like smartphones, enhancing energy efficiency in multiple industries
💬 One quote: “We created a printable A4-sized film with record-high thermoelectric performance, exceptional flexibility, scalability and low cost,” - Professor Wenyi Chen, QUT lead researcher
📈 One stat: The new film represents a record-high thermoelectric performance, combined with flexibility and low production costs
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