Researchers at the University of Utah’s College of Engineering have developed a novel type of battery called a pyroelectrochemical cell (PEC) that could potentially solve the power challenges faced by IoT devices in situations where reliable electrical sources are not available. The PEC was designed to harvest ambient thermal energy and convert it into stored electrochemical energy in the form of a supercapacitor or battery, making it ideal for applications in the Internet of Things and distributed sensors. With the ability to generate a charge with changes in temperature, the PEC could power sensors for IoT applications that would otherwise be difficult to recharge.
The device uses a pyroelectric composite material as the separator in an electrochemical cell, consisting of porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and barium titanate nanoparticles. The material’s electrical properties change as it is heated or cooled, altering the polarization of the pyroelectric separator and creating an electric field inside the cell to store energy. The cell stores electricity in an electric double layer, which stores the charge in positive and negative layers of ions, functioning as a capacitor. The study aimed to test the lab’s theory of how the cell would operate, including an orientation effect and heating vs. cooling effects.
The experiments conducted by the research team confirmed that the cell responded as predicted, demonstrating the potential functionality of the PEC. Further research will focus on optimizing the design and parameters of the cell for improved energy harvesting and storage, as well as real-world field demonstrations. The PEC is capable of producing up to 100 microjoules per square centimeter from a single heating/cooling cycle, making it suitable for low-power IoT sensors that require periodic updates and autonomous operation without an interface or screen.
The study, titled “Direct Conversion of Thermal Energy to Stored Electrochemical Energy via a Self-Charging Pyroelectrochemical Cell,” was published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science and funded by the National Science Foundation. The research team, led by Roseanne Warren and Shad Roundy, included graduate student Tim Kowalchik and undergraduate art student Danielle Horlacher, who created illustrations for the study. The PEC offers a promising solution for powering IoT devices in various environments, enabling applications in remote sensing, monitoring machinery, and other scenarios where traditional power sources are impractical.
In contrast to solar cells that require cleanliness and sunlight availability, the PEC can function in various environments, including inside vehicles, aircraft, and agricultural settings. By utilizing changes in temperature to generate a charge, the PEC offers a reliable and efficient energy source for IoT sensors that do not need frequent recharging. The research demonstrates the feasibility of using ambient thermal energy to power devices in the Internet of Things and distributed sensor networks, highlighting the potential for enhancing efficiency and safety in a wide range of applications.
With ongoing research focused on improving the energy harvesting capabilities and practical applicability of the PEC, the development of this novel battery technology could revolutionize the field of IoT devices and sensors. By leveraging ambient thermal energy to power sensors autonomously and reliably, the PEC offers a sustainable solution for addressing the power challenges faced by IoT applications. As advancements continue, the integration of pyroelectrochemical cells in IoT systems could enable new possibilities for monitoring and data collection in diverse environments, unlocking the full potential of the Internet of Things.
