Ionic Energy Harvesters

Ionic Energy Harvesters (Thermogalvanic Cells and Ionic Triboelectric Nanogenerators)

The global energy crisis and rising carbon dioxide emissions demand innovative solutions to achieve a net-zero energy system. To address this issue, we aim to develop sustainable ionic systems that generate energy from waste heat or mechanical deformation using our developed deformable ionic conductors. 

Thermoelectric generators are energy harvesters that convert waste heat into usable energy. Unlike traditional thermoelectric systems, ionic thermoelectric generators, such as thermogalvanic cells (TGCs), enable efficient energy harvesting even from low-grade heat and offer enhanced mechanical stretchability, making them ideal for wearable power sources. Our research focuses on precisely controlling ion mass transport and optimizing ion interactions between polymer gelators and redox materials in ionic conductors to develop high-performance TGCs capable of generating electricity even at body temperature.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are another key eco-friendly system we target as wearable power sources that harness mechanical deformation for energy harvesting. In particular, we employ ionic conductors as charge-generating and trapping layers in ionic TENGs, resulting in a simpler device configuration with low fabrication costs. Additionally, we are studying the underlying relationship between the correlation between ionic conductors and device performance.