Researchers at Purdue develop novel nano-coated technique that could harvest wasted energy from factories and cars.
Purdue University researchers coated glass fibers with a novel thermoelectric material developed in the lab. When these materials are heated on one side, an electrical current is created when the electrons flow to the cooler side. The new flexible nature of these nano-coated fivers would wrap to the irregular shapes of engines and exhaust pipes, all while using a small fraction of the material required for current thermoelectric devices.
The nano-coated fibers could be used someday to develop a solid-state cooling technology that does not require compressors and chemical refrigerants, or be woven into a fabric for cooling garments.
