Low-grade waste heat recovery scenarios: Pyroelectric, thermomagnetic, and thermogalvanic thermal energy harvesting

Identifying reliable and sustainable sources of electricity is a significant challenge of the present time. However, most energy-generation mechanisms produce unavoidable low-grade waste heat as a byproduct while harvesting (or converting) electrical energy from conventional or renewable energy sour...

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Published in:Nano energy 2023-09, Vol.114, p.108596, Article 108596
Main Authors: Hur, Sunghoon, Kim, Sangtae, Kim, Hyun-Soo, Kumar, Ajeet, Kwon, Choah, Shin, Joonchul, Kang, Heemin, Sung, Tae Hyun, Ryu, Jungho, Baik, Jeong Min, Song, Hyun-Cheol
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Low grade waste heat
Pyroelectric
Thermal energy harvesting
Thermogalvanic
Thermomagnetic
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Summary:Identifying reliable and sustainable sources of electricity is a significant challenge of the present time. However, most energy-generation mechanisms produce unavoidable low-grade waste heat as a byproduct while harvesting (or converting) electrical energy from conventional or renewable energy sources. Each year, over 60% of the primary energy is wasted as heat. Accordingly, considerable efforts are being made to convert this waste heat into usable electrical energy using diverse energy conversion materials. In this review, three actively investigated energy conversion mechanisms beyond thermoelectrics, i.e., (1) pyroelectric, (2) thermomagnetic, and (3) thermogalvanic generators, are reviewed and compared from the viewpoint of fundamental theories, critical parameters for high energy conversion efficiency, and current status of materials and devices. The challenges and opportunities in low-grade waste-heat recovery are discussed in terms of material science and structural design. This review provides an overview of the current progress in thermal-energy-harvesting research, future challenges, and opportunities. [Display omitted] •This review focuses on solid-state thermal-energy-harvesting strategies beyond thermoelectrics for low-grade heat recovery.•Theories and key parameters of pyroelectric, thermomagnetic, and thermogalvanic energy conversion mechanisms are reviewed.•The progress of solid-state thermal-energy-harvesting materials and devices, except for thermoelectrics, is summarized.•Future perspectives are outlooked along with recent advances in the field.
ISSN:2211-2855
DOI:10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108596