Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed a compact thermoelectric generator that converts waste heat from vehicles, helicopters, and drones into usable electricity. The prototype, which produces 40 watts of power—enough to light a bulb—could help improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Internal combustion engines, commonly used in vehicles, waste about 75% of energy as heat. With global efforts to cut emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, innovations to boost energy efficiency in existing technologies are crucial.
The Penn State team, led by Wenjie Li and Bed Poudel, sought to improve energy conversion in gas-powered engines. Traditional thermoelectric generators rely on external cooling systems, adding size and reducing versatility. The researchers instead used heat exchangers, like those in air conditioners, to capture heat from exhaust pipes and added a heatsink to increase the temperature difference, enhancing energy output.
The prototype achieved 40 watts of power, and simulations showed that it could generate 56 watts in a car and 146 watts in a helicopter—equivalent to 12 lithium-ion batteries. The system can be integrated directly into exhaust outlets without additional cooling infrastructure, making it suitable for retrofitting existing vehicles.
This breakthrough offers a potential solution to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions in transportation, paving the way for thermoelectric devices in everyday vehicles.
Related topics: