Kinetic, thermoelectric and solar energy harvesting technologies for smart textiles

Abstract: This chapter concerns the harvesting of ambient energy and its conversion into electrical energy for use in powering autonomous electronic systems. The chapter describes the fundamentals of energy harvesting from kinetic, thermal and solar energy sources and the application of each technique in fabrics. True integration of the technology is currently being investigated with photovoltaic (PV) fibres and printed low temperature PV materials having been demonstrated. In all cases the technology is in its infancy and it is extremely challenging to integrate this functionality in smart fabrics in an acceptable and practical way. Functionalising the surface of fabrics using novel low temperature materials deposited by standard printing processes appears the most cost-effective and practical approach.

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