Task 1 Energy power, in the form of wind, solar, and many others, is a big part of our society that helps drive a multitude of aspects in our lives. Throughout history energy power has advanced significantly from a candle to electricity in houses to solar panels on cars. In a different direction, there are many disabling conditions that people in our world are born with and/or develop over time. The marriage, over time, of these two features has made a significant impact in some people’s day to day lives. One big issue that has erupted is the increase in hearing loss among seniors, children, and especially teens. One component of the hearing aid that has always been the same are the batteries. For years, and counting, people with hearing aids have to deal with small alkaline batteries in which they risk losing them or accidentally ingesting them. Through a different source of energy, a hearing aid manufacturing company has developed solar powered hearing aids where the aid is plugged into a panel so that the batteries don’t need to be removed. Nationally, the solar powered hearing aid idea has been taken to developing countries to supply environmentally friendly hearing aids to hearing impaired children. The significant history of energy and the development of hearing aids has helped the team recognize more forms of energy to apply to the manufacturing of hearing aids. The team has been able to look outside of the box and further into the future with their project.
Task 2 At Dr. Wayne J. Staab and Associates in Canada, Dr. Wayne has been investigating three current energy harvesting approaches. In humans, there are two types of energy that can be harvested - kinetic and thermal. Based on the Seebeck effect, a thermogenerator can produce an electrical current proportional to the temperature difference between two temperatures. The upper limit on the heat energy that can be harvested from the 5.5% of a human in a room temperature environment. Hearing aids have small batteries and low energy consumption which can be used in this application.
There are new innovations in wearable technology. Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new design for harvesting body heat and converting it into electricity. They have also been able to identify the most ideal sport for optimal electricity production. Daryoosh Varshaee, the author of the research paper, describes the system as being very thin and flexible. It uses a thermally conductive material and spreads the heat on the skin. The heat is forced through the wearable thermoelectric generator (TEGs) unites to generate heat.
Wearable technology has implemented new terminals in the thermoelectric generator. The n-type and p-type terminals can be connected to another thermoelectric generator. The materials of the thermoelectric device include metal, carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphite and graphene. The thermoelectric generator can have two different temperature units in order to create electricity. This research was conducted by Eunkyung Lee in Seoul, Korea.
There are new innovations in wearable technology. Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new design for harvesting body heat and converting it into electricity. They have also been able to identify the most ideal sport for optimal electricity production. Daryoosh Varshaee, the author of the research paper, describes the system as being very thin and flexible. It uses a thermally conductive material and spreads the heat on the skin. The heat is forced through the wearable thermoelectric generator (TEGs) unites to generate heat.
Wearable technology has implemented new terminals in the thermoelectric generator. The n-type and p-type terminals can be connected to another thermoelectric generator. The materials of the thermoelectric device include metal, carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphite and graphene. The thermoelectric generator can have two different temperature units in order to create electricity. This research was conducted by Eunkyung Lee in Seoul, Korea.
Task 3 The use of thermal energy as a source of electricity has advanced scientific knowledge by creating a power source from body heat. The invention of a thermoelectric power generator has made it possible for wearable mobile electronic devices like smart watches and medical sensors to be self powered through body heat and external temperatures. A thermoelectric power generator can be designed to be very thin, lightweight and flexible so it can be attached to any wearable electronics. This has sparked research for wearable, self-powered, health and envirnmental monitors. This application has opened the doors for a whole new source of energy.