Citation

Zhouyue Lei#, Wei Gao#, and Peiyi Wu*. Double-Network Thermocells with Extraordinary Toughness and Boosted Power Density for Continuous Heat Harvesting. Joule 2021, 5, 2211-2222.

Abstract

Thermocells have recently attracted increasing interest in the field of the Internet of Things owing to their capacity to continually power wearable electronics by converting low-grade heat to electricity. However, liquid thermocells face leakage risk of electrolytes, while quasi-solid thermocells crosslinked by physical networks encounter the challenges of poor mechanical properties and low power densities. Inspired by topologically entangled multi-networks in muscles and cartilages, this work designs double chemically crosslinked networks with a synergy effect to address these challenges. This thermocell not only shows large stretchability, impressive strength, notch insensitivity, and extraordinary toughness, which is even higher than that of cartilages, but also reaches the supreme grade of power density in quasi-solid thermocells. We believe that this work will change the landscape of high-performance thermocells and benefit the realization of sustainable self-powered wearable electronics in the era of the internet of things.