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

Project description

Smarter power for small flyers

Micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) could serve a range of sectors, from surveillance to environmental monitoring. However, their limited battery life remains a major hurdle. Traditional improvements in batteries and fuel cells have struggled to yield practical solutions. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TEnergy project seeks to tap into waste heat and solar energy using thermoelectric materials. Central to this approach are ionic thermogalvanic cells, which show strong promise but still require material optimisation. TEnergy is developing a hybrid thermoelectric-concentration battery that offers high voltage in a compact form. The project could help create lightweight, sustainable power sources for MAVs and bring extended, real-world use within reach.

Objective

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.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION
Net EU contribution
€ 276 187,92
Address
COLLEGE LANE
AL10 9AB Hatfield
United Kingdom
Region
East of England Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Hertfordshire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data