Innovative portable electronic devices powered by thermoelectric generators from waste heat

This research was aimed at thermoelectric generator’s (TEG’s) commercialization as a green power supply for portable consumer electronic devices (PCEDs) in the metropolitan market in Thailand. Technical assessment using four commercial 4 cm x 4 cm TE modules to transfer heat from temperature-controlled water yielded power outputs of 2.1-100.8 mW and voltages of 0.16-1.08V. A business research by a questionnaire with the sample size of 400 at 0.05 level of significance () and in-depth qualitative interview found 12 PCEDs and 11 heat / coldness sources with potential for product development. Portable power supply problems were also prioritized. Product qualification criteria with the most importance were deployed into technical requirements for product development techniques with QFD and TRIZ. A prototype comprised 8 components using 3 referred TE modules. It was evaluated for charging characteristics in 5 conditions of uses and produced the maximum power of 4.82 W, with the outstanding feature in the lowest starting temperature differential of 26C. Fully charging a 3,000 mAh Li-ion battery in comparison with other commercial products, in the same condition, the prototype finished charging process for about 15.8-25.4% faster in duration, with 30.3-41.4% higher maximum power, but with 5.7-13.2% lower maximum power per unit area. Commercialization and business plan was then conducted to focus on the target customers as travelers and government officers with long stay jungle trip. The additional target of people with inconvenience to access electrical power sources for PCEDs was also considered. The business was financially evaluated for satisfactory valuation, i.e. NPV= THB 19,965,919 , IRR= 274.77%, and with 1 year payback period本研究旨在实现热电发电机（thermoelectric generator，TEG）的商业化应用，将其作为泰国都市市场便携式消费电子产品（portable consumer electronic devices，PCEDs）的绿色供电方案。研究采用四款商用4 cm×4 cm热电模块开展技术评估，以控温水作为热源传递热量，测试得到的功率输出范围为2.1~100.8 mW，电压范围为0.16~1.08 V。通过样本量为400、显著性水平α=0.05的问卷调查结合深度定性访谈开展商业研究，共识别出12类便携式消费电子产品与11类热/冷源具备产品开发潜力，并对便携式供电痛点进行了优先级排序。将最重要的产品合格标准转化为产品开发技术的技术要求，采用质量功能展开（QFD）与发明问题解决理论（TRIZ）开展研发工作。本研究研制的原型机包含8个组件，采用3款参考热电模块，在5种使用场景下评估了充电特性，其最大输出功率达4.82 W，核心优势为最低启动温差仅为26℃。以充满3000 mAh锂离子电池为测试指标，在相同工况下，该原型机的充电时长较其他商用产品缩短15.8%~25.4%，最大输出功率提升30.3%~41.4%，但单位面积最大输出功率降低5.7%~13.2%。随后制定了商业化方案与商业计划，目标客户聚焦于长期丛林出行的旅行者与公职人员，同时兼顾无法便捷获取电力的便携式消费电子用户群体。经财务评估，该项目估值表现优异：净现值（NPV）为19,965,919泰铢，内部收益率（IRR）为274.77%，投资回收期仅为1年。