Researchers from the QUT Centre for Materials Science, working within the ARC Research Hub for Zero-emission Power Generation (ZeroPC), have developed a flexible, stretchable, and low-cost semiconductor alloy capable of converting body heat into clean electricity.
Published in Nature Communications, the breakthrough centres on a new alloy—AgCu(Te,Se,S)—engineered using precisely controlled vacancy engineering. Guided by computational design and produced via a simple melt method, the material demonstrates significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance without compromising mechanical flexibility.
The innovation holds promise for powering wearable electronics, soft robotics, medical sensors, and other emerging technologies where lightweight, self-powered systems are essential.
This research is a prime example of how fundamental materials science is paving the way for next-generation, energy-efficient technologies with real-world applications.
📖 Read the full paper in Nature Communications: Nature Communications article
📰 QUT News article: QUT News
📰 AuManufacturing coverage: aumanufacturing.com.au
Kudos to lead author Nanhai Li, Xiao-Lei Shi, Siqi Liu, Tian-Yi Cao, Min Zhang, Wanyu Lyu, Wei-Di Liu, Dongchen Qi and Zhi-Gang Chen.