Vapor and heat dual-drive sustainable power for portable electronics in ambient environments

Abstract

Ubiquitous vapor and low-grade heat are widely available in nature and provide abundant, clean sources for developing new types of power generators. Herein, we demonstrate high-performance power, driven by vapor and heat for portable electronics in ambient environments. Based on the ternary aggregate of a polyelectrolyte, conducting polymer and a redox couple, the vapor and heat dual-drive electric generator (VHG) of 1 cm² offers an open circuit voltage of 0.9 V, and a sustainable short-circuit-current density of up to 0.8 mA cm⁻², much higher than that of single-source generators. Resulting from synergistic double-acting ion migration and the thermogalvanic effect, the high-efficiency VHG can work as a flexible personal energy-supply system to support wearable devices, such as hearing aids, by using body sweat and heat. It can even light a 15 W bulb once compatibly installed in a greenhouse. This work paves the way for sustainable energy generation by effectively collecting multiple types of natural energy comprehensively to realize sustainable applications in different seasons and geographical locations.