The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) has succeeded in manufacturing high-performance thermoelectric materials using 3D printing. This new technique significantly reduces production costs, one of the main barriers in the development of thermoelectric devices.
Innovation in the manufacture of thermoelectric refrigerators
Thermoelectric coolers, devices capable of generating localized cooling by transferring heat through an electric current, are widely used in modern electronics. Traditionally, manufacturing these devices has been expensive and generates large amounts of waste.
However, the new 3D printing technique developed by ISTA researchers makes it possible to create these materials without intensive machining processes, which avoids high energy consumption and the generation of waste.
Cost reduction and increased performance
Thanks to the innovative formulation of inks used in 3D printing, researchers have achieved performance comparable to that of devices manufactured using traditional techniques, but at a significantly lower cost.
The technique optimizes charge transfer between grains of the material, improving thermoelectric efficiency and extending the applications of these devices to areas such as wearable electronics, medicine and waste energy harvesting.
Applications and future of thermoelectric materials
In addition to their use in coolers for electronic devices , thermoelectric materials made using 3D printing could have medical applications, such as treating burns and reducing muscle tension.
This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for the integration of thermoelectric technology into various industries, improving the sustainability and efficiency of energy systems.
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Source and photo: Institute of Science and Technology Austria
