Generating Electricity from Metabolic Heat of Human Body through Smart-

Garments for Charging Electronic Gadgets: A Review

Sayoni Nath1 and Anirban Dutta2*
1,2: Government College of Engineering and Textile Technology Serampore , W.B., India
*: Email-id of the corresponding author: speak.2.anirban@gmail.com

Abstract: In today’s world all of us are literally living within the galaxy of electronic gadgets. As
soon as we wake up, till we fall asleep in the night, a number of electronic gadgets are integral part of
our daily activities. Therefore, A continuous consumption of electrical energy is required to keep those
gadgets going every-time, everywhere, in every condition. Hence it is essential to explore some non-
conventional, renewable and continuous source of electrical energy, apart from the conventional
sources. Also, it is equally important to have uninterrupted sources of electrical energy even in the
remote areas, to keep the electronic devices running, for example automatic health monitoring devices,
smart watches, cell phones, tabs etc. In addition to that, it is always essential to search for newer and
newer sources of electrical energy to cope up with the continuously increasing demand of the electrical
energy in the present world. So, the need of the hour is to innovate new and sustainable ways of
electrical energy. In this context, this present article reports some salient and significant researches in
the domain of generating the electrical energy utilizing the metabolic heat and the natural movements
of the human body.
Keywords: Metabolic Heat, electrical energy, smart garments, e-textile, electronic gadgets, body heat,
thermoelectric generator, renewable energy.
I. Introduction : A human body constantly generates heat as a result of metabolism. However, only
a fraction of this heat energy is dissipated into the atmosphere as a heat flow and infrared radiation.
Furthermore, only a small part of this heat flow can be used in a wearer-friendly way, using unobtrusive
energy scavenger, as it is no way feasible to use large device on the body. However, the metabolism in
a normal and healthy human body generates more than 100 W of heat. Therefore, it is expected that a
quite useful electrical energy still can be obtained using a person as a heat generator. In today’s world
almost everyone uses lots of electronic gadgets in daily life. Such gadgets are energised by the electrical
energy. Therefore, A continuous supply of electrical energy is required to keep those gadgets running
every-time, everywhere and in every geographical location. In addition to that, so far as the
sustainability of planet earth is concerned, it is always important to explore for newer and
unconventional sources of electrical energy to cope up with the fast-growing demand. In this context,
this present article reports some salient and significant researches in the domain of generating the
electrical energy utilizing the metabolic heat and the natural movements of the human body.
The commonly used device for converting heat flow into electricity is a thermoelectric generator (TEG),
consisting of a thermopile. In addition to TEG device, some other innovative and remarkable ways of
converting body-heat into electrical energy have been reported in brief in this review paper.
II. Review of Literatures: Researchers have reported that the amount of electrical energy developed
from the fraction of metabolic heat is still sufficient to charge the batteries of small electrical devices
[1]. The major challenge in this case is that the human body has high thermal resistance; and hence the
heat flow is significantly limited. As an obvious result, not much heat is dissipated from the skin and
on average only about 3 – 5 mW/cm2 is available indoors. It is further reported by the scientists that
the amount of generated electrical energy depends upon the thickness of the TEG and its size: the thicker
the TEG, the higher its power generation. On the other hand, larger the surface area of the TEG, the less
power per unit area is produced. At the system level, a short-term or long-term power reserve must be
provided in the form of rechargeable battery or a capacitor to avoid power shortages. Using such energy
storage element, the power gained by a TEG on occasional basis can be uniformly redistributed and
consumed at near-constant rate over a long period of time [1].
Prashantha. K and Sushmitha Holla M [2] made an effort to generate electricity using the human body-
heat and the solar power for the charging of the mobile phone. This research project is based upon the

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4044554

application of Thermo Electric Generator (TEG) device for producing the electricity using the
temperature differences between two adjacent surfaces. The authors have illustrated the basic principle
of TEG devices through the Fig.1

Fig.1. Basic operating principle of the TEG device [2]

As illustrated in the Fig.1, the TEG device uses semiconductor diodes, which are placed between hot
and cold surfaces. The hot skin surface of human body acts as the hot surface and one cold plate is to
be attached with the garment. Due to the differences in temperatures, the electricity starts flowing
between these two surfaces.
For designing the solar shirt, the researchers used solar cell, Integrated Circuits (IC), regulator and
ready-made shirt. The solar cells (2 sets) each of 12V were connected in series. And 6 TEG modules
are attached in series and parallel to the shirt. Solar cell was used to sense the sunlight and generate the
DC voltage, as per the principles of commonly used solar panels. On the other hand, TEG modules were
used to sense the body heat. Subsequently, two ICs were used for charging the commonly used
electronic devices like mobile, iPod, mp3 player etc. The below block diagram (Fig.2) was used by the
authors to represent the complete principle of working of the system.

Fig.2. Block diagram of the solar cell and TEG system [2]
In order to generate power, the voltage is generated in the solar cell by a process known as the
“photovoltaic effect.” It has been reported by the researchers, that the wearable shirt charges the cell
phone in the same time as the normal charger does i.e., 3 to 3.5 hours. Also, one more significant point
reported by them in this context is that the wearer needs not to stand under the sun continuously.
Furthermore, it has been reported that the mobile battery charged fully by using solar and body heat
through the solar circuit and TEG circuit design using voltage controller. [2]
Furthermore , the research paper published by E&T editorial staff [3] reports that the scientists of United
States have developed a mini-wearable device, which is capable of charging up utilising the biological
body heat of the wearers. The stretchy gadgets have been developed by a team of researchers at the
University of Colorado Boulder. These can be worn as a ring or a bracelet (Fig.3), which can convert
the body heat into electrical energy through electricity generating devices. Even though, this technology
can currently produce only about one volt of energy for every square centimetre of skin space, which is
less than what produced by the most existing batteries, but still it is reported to be sufficient to charge
mini electronic devices like a watch or a fitness tracker. Also, according to Professor Jianliang Xiao, a
leading team member of this particular research team , this technology could be in the market within
five to 10 years [3]

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Fig.3. A thermoelectric power generator worn as a ring [3]

Further added by Professor Jianliang Xiao, “The nice thing about our thermoelectric device is that you
can wear it and it provides you with constant power.” Professor also added: “The thermoelectric
generators are in close contact with the human body and they can use the heat that would normally be
dissipated into the environment.” [3]

On the same note, the E&T editorial staff published another article on May 11, 2020, which reports that
Sweat could be used to provide power to simple wearable devices instead of batteries, as per the
demonstration of a new device developed by the engineers of University of Glasgow. As per this new
technology for the new type of flexible super-capacitor the body sweat can replace the electrolytes
found in conventional batteries. The researchers have developed this device by coating polyester
cellulose cloth in a thin layer of a special polymer. As the cloth absorbs its wearer’s sweat, the positive
and negative ions in the sweat interact with the polymer’s surface, which in turn creates an
electrochemical reaction that generates electrical energy [4].

The researchers tested the effectiveness of their developed technology by having volunteers run
outdoors and on a treadmill while wearing a 2cm x 2cm cell version of the device. It is further reported
by the researchers that one running person sweated enough to allow the device to generate about 10
milliwatts of power, which is more than enough to power a small bank of LEDs. [4]

The leader of this research team Prof Dahiya said: “Conventional batteries are cheaper and more
plentiful than ever before, but they are often built using unsustainable materials which are harmful to
the environment. That makes them challenging to dispose of safely, and potentially harmful in wearable
devices, where a broken battery could spill toxic fluids onto skin. What we’ve been able to do for the
first time is to show that human sweat provides a real opportunity to do away with those toxic materials
entirely, with excellent charging and discharging performance. As wearable devices like health
monitors continue to increase in popularity, it opens up the possibility of a safer, more environment-
friendly method of generating sustainable power – not just for wearables but possibly also for emerging
areas such as e-bikes and electric vehicles, where sweat equivalent solution could replace the human
sweat” [4]. This statement of Professor Dahiya is self-explanatory and it conveys the potential of this
project in a profound manner, so far as the sustainability and the wearable electronics are concerned.

Another report published in ‘The Week’ Magazine [5] conveys that a group of scientists of the
University of Massachusetts Amherst, US, have developed a fabric that can harvest body heat to power
small wearable electronic devices such as activity trackers. The researchers worked on the principle of
the theory, that body heat can produce power by utilising the difference between body temperature and
ambient cooler air, which is known as a "thermoelectric" effect. According to this theory the materials

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with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity can move electrical charge from a warm
region towards a cooler one in this way. [5]

As stated by the Trisha Andrew from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the US: "What we
have developed is a way to inexpensively vapour-print biocompatible, flexible and lightweight polymer
films made of everyday, abundant materials onto cotton fabrics that have high enough thermoelectric
properties to yield fairly high thermal voltage, enough to power a small device," [5]

The researchers in this particular took advantage of the naturally low heat transport properties of wool
and cotton fibres to create thermoelectric garments that can maintain a temperature gradient across an
electronic device known as a thermopile. Moreover, researcher reported that this work is very
significant and provides a new lead to explore new energy sources for wearable electronics and smart
garments. [5]
In this context, as reported by Stephen Ornes [6] Scientists in South Korea have developed a flexible,
foldable and wearable fabric that generates electricity during its movements like bending and flexing
(Fig.4) That means, the movements of the wearers of that smart garment is enough to power a small
electronic devices. “A shirt made from the new fabric can be worn or even patched like any other item
of clothing”. As stated by the head of the research team Dr.Sang-Woo Kim to the reporters of ‘Science
News for Students’ [6]

Fig.4. New fabric material developed by physicists in South Korea generates electricity during its
movement [6]

The power-generating material used in this structure is known as a wearable triboelectric (TRI-bo-ee-
LEK-trik) nanogenerator, or WTNG. In this case the electricity is generated by friction. WTNG material
includes tiny zinc-oxide rods only billionths of a meter long. Those spiky nanoparticles help to convert
mechanical motion into electricity.[6]

Furthermore, the new fabric combines different materials. The top and bottom layers are the fabric
structures coated with silver. The middle layer contains the zinc oxide coated with a polymer. As the
fabric bends or moves, the coated rods move back and forth, and hence creates abrasion or frictional
interaction against the silver coated layer. During such abrasion of two surfaces, the polymer layer up
electrons from the silver layer and therefore build up negative charge. Whereas, the silver coated layer
becomes positively charged [6].

As reported in the article the researchers connected the two outer silver-coated layers with a wire. The
wire allows a small electric current flow through it. As they compressed and released the fabric, the

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scientists measured the electrical-flow generated. It has been found by the researchers that multiple
layers of WTNG produced more electricity than single layer. [6]

So far as the future scope of research is concerned in this context, it is reported that the research team
planned to develop textile-based batteries, which should be able to store energy. This storing facility
should enable the system to supply electricity even when the system is stationary. The researchers are
also working to develop a washable version of this product. Moreover, researchers are reported to expect
to use this technology to build wearable electronics, including medical sensors that are attached to the
skin. These currently require an external power source. It must be mentioned here that WTNGs might
one day give people the power to recharge their own electronic devices while walking, running or
bending throughout the day [6].

Furthermore, in the research article by Kristin Toussaint [7], the author has explained the thermoelectric
effect which converts the temperature difference into electric voltage. If two conductors are connected
and one side is heated, the electrons start to move from the hot end to the cooler side, creating a current
flow through the circuit. This paper is mainly focused on ‘waste heat’ which is the unused heat let out
into an environment by machines or human activities. In this paper a solution is prepared from tomato
skin and carbon nano particles that could penetrate the fabric and also give the electric properties to the
fabric. Tomato skin is used as a bio-based glue and also it is very inexpensive product. Thermo
conductive tapes are also used to connect the T-shirt to the external wires to show that the shirt is able
to turn on the LED. This paper is also focused on piezoelectricity which uses the movements to generate
the power. [7]
Likewise, in the research article by Andrea D. Steffen [8], the author has reported his salient research
findings in the domain of e-textile prototype. It has been reported that the T-shirt can produce electricity
using the temperature difference between human body and the surrounding ambient air. A solution is
prepared by mixing water, ethanol and carbon nanoparticles. This solution is heated up and adhere to
the cotton fabric, thus obtaining the electrical properties like those generated by tellurium, germanium
or lead. This paper has also focused to create a wi-fi antenna from tomato skin and graphene that can
store the electricity [8].
The researcher Jonathan O’ Callaghan has explained the thermoelectric generator that can convert the
heat-gradient or temperature difference, into electrical energy [9]. Two types of TE generators are
mentioned in this article. This paper is very insightful to gather the knowledge about the benefits of
organic and inorganic based electricity generator. Organic based TE generators are highly flexible and
compatible with human skin, ideal for wearable electronics, although they have a low power output. On
the other hand, Inorganic based TE generators produce a high electrical energy, but at the same time
they are heavy, rigid and bulk, which ultimately reduces the wear-comfort. This paper represents a fair
understanding to build a flexible TE generator that minimises the thermal energy loss and maximizes
power output, combining the benefits of both organic and inorganic materials. [9]
In another paper in this domain [10] the author has conveyed the principles to develop special and smart
apparel-fabric which can generate electricity through wearer’s movement and body heat. The smart
fabrics are to be made by using rapid printing process to attach a film of piezoelectric to thermoelectric
material to a textile base, which will be able to harvest and conduct electricity for potential use.
Thermoelectric materials will be made from two attached semi-conductors (p-type, n-type), which
create a voltage by a process known as see-beck effect, when they are at different temperature levels.
A range of fabrics have been tested including poly cottons, elastics and heat-resistant fibres such as
kermel. The researchers are also focused to create an energy generator which can store the energy [10].
Similarly, in the research article by University of Bath [11], The researchers have explained
piezoelectricity. It is a phenomenon where mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy.
Nylon as a white powder that can be blended with other materials and nylon is reduced to a particular
crystal form which becomes piezoelectric. Nylon powder is dissolved into acid solvent. It is found that
the finished film contained solvent molecules, locked inside the materials. Acid solution is mixed with
acetone (a chemical best known as a paint thinner or nail varnish remover) which is able to dissolve the

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nylon and then extract the acid efficiently. This article is very much insightful to integrate electronic
elements and to generate power from body movement [11].

III. Summary and Conclusions: Even though human body constantly produces heat due to
metabolism, only a fraction of this heat energy is dissipated to the outer world through radiation. Also,
as it is not feasible to use wide or heavy thermo electrical generating devices on human wearables. The
researches reported in this article conveys different ways to overcome such challenges and produce
quite a sufficient amount of electrical energy for charging of small electronic gadgets. Most of the
researchers have used Thermo Electric Generator (TEG), consisting of thermopiles made of n-type and
p-type semiconductor diodes which generates electricity utilising the temperature differences between
two surfaces. Such small TEG systems are attached to different places of the wearable garments, which
can be activated by the temperature difference between the human skin and the outer surface of the
garment. Another research reported in this article demonstrates the use of human body sweat to replace
the electrolytes of the conventional batteries for the new type of flexible super-capacitor, by using the
coating of polyester cellulose cloth in a thin layer of a special polymer. Another remarkable research
reported the development of a flexible, foldable and wearable fabric that generates electricity during its
movements like bending and flexing. Shirts made of such fabrics can produce electricity as the wearer
moves or bends. Also, the use of some special aqueous medium like the solution prepared from tomato
skin and carbon nano particles, solution prepared by mixing water, ethanol and carbon nanoparticles
etc have been reported to be applied on textile fabrics to upgrade the electrical properties. In addition
to that, the smart fabrics can be made by using rapid printing process to attach a film of piezoelectric or
thermoelectric material to a textile base.

It can be said that the reported researches in the domain of generating electrical energy utilising human
body-heat by using smart garments is very encouraging with high future potential. Development of such
unconventional source of electrical energy for charging smart gadgets is very significant so far as the
sustainability of the planet earth is concerned. Also, such electricity generated form body heat can be
very useful to keep the important electronic devices active in remote locations like deep forest, high
altitude hills in case of mountain trekkers, space in case of astronauts etc.

References

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Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4044554

9. Jonathan O’ Callaghan, (2014), ‘Turn Yourself a Walking Charger : Wearable Technology Could Let us
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