Developing of an solid-state double-layer thermoelectric battery for efficiently powering micro-aerial vehicle

Descripción del proyecto

Energía más inteligente para pequeños vehículos aéreos

Los microvehículos aéreos (MAV, por sus siglas en inglés) podrían servir a diversos sectores, desde el control hasta la vigilancia ambiental. Sin embargo, la limitada duración de sus baterías sigue siendo un gran obstáculo. Con las mejoras tradicionales en las baterías y pilas de combustible se han tenido dificultades para aportar soluciones prácticas. Apoyado por las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, el equipo del proyecto TEnergy pretende aprovechar el calor residual y la energía solar utilizando materiales termoeléctricos. Las células termogalvánicas iónicas, muy prometedoras pero que aún requieren la optimización de los materiales, constituyen el núcleo de este método. En TEnergy se está desarrollando una batería híbrida termoeléctrica de concentración que ofrece alto voltaje en un formato compacto. En el proyecto se podría ayudar a crear fuentes de energía ligeras y sostenibles para los MAV y acercar su uso extendido en el mundo real.

Objetivo

Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) represent a multifaceted technology with utility across a broad spectrum of industries. However, their constrained operational time, primarily due to energy limitations, poses a formidable obstacle. Attempts to bolster energy storage capacity through advancements such as batteries and fuel cells have hit snags in practical implementation. An innovative workaround is the deployment of thermoelectric conversion, capable of capturing and utilizing waste heat and solar energy, yet this avenue is currently hampered by the limitations of available materials. Ionic Thermogalvanic Cells have emerged as a beacon of hope, thanks to their superior Seebeck coefficients, but their incorporation into MAVs necessitates materials of high thermoelectric efficacy and tailored compatibility. The TEnergy initiative is geared towards augmenting the thermoelectric capabilities of ionic thermoelectric materials and refining device architecture for optimized energy conversion.
The conceptualization of the double-layer thermoelectric-concentration battery marks a groundbreaking fusion of thermoelectric and battery technologies, promising elevated open-circuit voltage and conversion efficiency. The crux of the TEnergy research lies in its potential to engineer an ultra-compact, highly efficient passive power source for MAVs, harnessing waste and environmental thermal energies. Additionally, the TEnergy endeavor is set on achieving quantifiable milestones, including an open-circuit voltage surpassing 0.25 V for the fundamental unit, a consistent open-circuit voltage of 12 volts and an output power of 100 mW for the amalgamated system, alongside a thermoelectric conversion efficiency rating above 5%.
Supported by the MSCA Fellowships, I am committed to pursuing this ambitious research program and the TEnergy research is expected to drive advancements in thermoelectric technology, contributing to the development of sustainable and efficient energy systems for MAVs.