Mineral-impregnated carbon-fiber based reinforcing grids as thermal energy harvesters: A proof-of-concept study towards multifunctional building materials
Energy and Buildings , 113564 (2023).
J. Zhao, G. Karalis, M. Liebscher, L. Tzounis, T. Köberle, D. Fischer, F. Simon, M. A. Aiti, G. Cuniberti, and V. Mechtcherine.
Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113564

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates for the first time the fabrication of a multifunctional reinforcing grid-building material within a thermoelectric element generator (TEG) configuration. Commercially available carbon fiber yarns, which possess inherent Seebeck coefficient (S) values of −2.5 μV/K (n-type) and +7.4 μV/K (p-type), were thoroughly investigated prior to their impregnation with a geopolymer (GP)-based suspension. The resulting hardened mineral-impregnated carbon-fiber (MCF) reinforcements were subsequently tested regarding their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Afterward, individual MCFs were employed as n- / p-type thermoelements to assemble a grid-like TEG consisting of five serially interconnected junctions. The TEG-enabled reinforcing grid exhibited a voltage output of 1.8 mV, corresponding to a generated power of 22.3 nW upon exposure to an in-plane temperature difference (ΔT) of 50 K. Multifunctional building materials are envisaged to exploit thermal gradients on a large-scale during their service lifetime, contributing towards zero energy consumption constructions.

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©https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113564
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Mineral-impregnated carbon-fiber based reinforcing grids as thermal energy harvesters: A proof-of-concept study towards multifunctional building materials
Energy and Buildings , 113564 (2023).
J. Zhao, G. Karalis, M. Liebscher, L. Tzounis, T. Köberle, D. Fischer, F. Simon, M. A. Aiti, G. Cuniberti, and V. Mechtcherine.
Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113564

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates for the first time the fabrication of a multifunctional reinforcing grid-building material within a thermoelectric element generator (TEG) configuration. Commercially available carbon fiber yarns, which possess inherent Seebeck coefficient (S) values of −2.5 μV/K (n-type) and +7.4 μV/K (p-type), were thoroughly investigated prior to their impregnation with a geopolymer (GP)-based suspension. The resulting hardened mineral-impregnated carbon-fiber (MCF) reinforcements were subsequently tested regarding their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Afterward, individual MCFs were employed as n- / p-type thermoelements to assemble a grid-like TEG consisting of five serially interconnected junctions. The TEG-enabled reinforcing grid exhibited a voltage output of 1.8 mV, corresponding to a generated power of 22.3 nW upon exposure to an in-plane temperature difference (ΔT) of 50 K. Multifunctional building materials are envisaged to exploit thermal gradients on a large-scale during their service lifetime, contributing towards zero energy consumption constructions.

Cover
©https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113564
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Involved Scientists