Wearable technology

Engineering

Statistics

Materials science

Embedded system

Thermoelectric cooling

Energy (signal processing)

Thermoelectric effect

Computer science

Energy harvesting

Thermoelectric materials

Mechanical engineering

Thermodynamics

Thermoelectric generator

Physics

Nanotechnology

Mathematics

Wearable computer

Characterization (materials science)

Process engineering

Electronics

Electricity

Electrical engineering

Engineering physics

Coatings

Thermoelectric technology has the ability to convert heat directly into electricity and vice versa. With the rapid growth of portable and wearable electronics and miniature devices, the self-powered and maintenance of free thermoelectric energy harvester is highly desired as a potential power supply. Thin film thermoelectric materials are lightweight, mechanically flexible, and they can be synthesized from abundant resources and processed with a low-cost procedure, which offers the potential to develop the novel thermoelectric devices and hold unique promise for future electronics and miniature accessories. Here, a general classification for thin film thermoelectric materials varied by material compositions, and thermoelectric properties depended on different measurement technique. Several new flexible thermoelectric strategies are summarized with the hope that they can inspire further development of novel thermoelectric applications.

Thin Film Thermoelectric Materials: Classification, Characterization, and Potential for Wearable Applications