Advantages
- By dispersing insulating graphene oxide within the coating electrode material through a novel approach, the electromotive force of liquid thermoelectric devices increased by an order of magnitude compared to conventional methods.
- Temperature differences between electrodes generate an electromotive force due to changes in the ambient temperature.
Background & Technology
Liquid thermoelectric devices are devices that convert environmental heat into electricity. The researcher had been generating a large thermoelectric voltage using a large-area, low-cost liquid thermoelectric device with a coated electrode containing dispersed graphite particles, but the thermoelectric voltage was only 30-40 mV at a temperature difference of 30 K.
In this study, the researcher generated an electromotive force of approximately 300 mV with a temperature difference of 30 K between electrodes by dispersing insulating graphene oxide in the electrode material. Furthermore, this electromotive force persists even after electrode cooling (e.g., due to daytime heating persisting into nighttime).
Current Stage & Key Data
- When a 30K temperature difference was applied between the electrodes, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) increased to 292mV (left figure). The maximum output reached 0.40W/m^2 (right figure).
*The area of the graphene oxide dispersion electrode is 42 mm^2, the electrode spacing is 10 mm, and the electrolyte is a 0.8 M aqueous solution of Fe(ClO₄)₂/Fe(ClO₄)₃.
 |
Partnering Model
- We are seeking companies interested in exploring patent licensing or joint research opportunities.
Publication(s)
- The 86th JSAP (The Japan Society of Applied Physics) Autumn Meeting 2025 “Liquid thermoelectric converter with huge electromotive force” (Haruka Yamada et al.)
Patent(s)
- Patent pending
Principal Investigator
- Yutaka MORITOMO
(University of Tsukuba, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, Professor）
Project ID:HK-05285