Je-Hyeong Bahk (PI),
Vesselin Shanov
University of
Cincinnati, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to develop
thermoelectric (TE) fabrics that can be embedded in firefighter jackets for
both personal cooling and power generation.
Design: We use carbon nanotube (CNT)
fibers as the active thermoelectric medium, and they are woven with
conventional acrylic or nylon fibers together into fabrics. Sections of CNT
fibers are selectively doped into n-type and p-type to make the so-called
Ī -geometry. The entire fabric is then coated with epoxy resin for electrical
insulation to make the final fabric.
Methods: CNT fibers are spun from
chemical vapor deposition-grown CNT arrays using the dry spinning method.
During the spinning, CNT fibers are twisted to make twisted threads and achieve
the desired fiber diameter and mechanical strength. Selected periodic sections
of the CNT fiber are dipped into dopant solutions to form doped sections of
each p- and n-type. The samples are then tested with varying electric current
input to investigate the cooling performance, and with controlled temperature
gradients to investigate the power generation performance.
Results: We successfully developed a
few fabric samples and tested them for a proof-of-concept study. Our results
show that the proposed CNT fabric can be used for effective cooling in
firefighter jackets, and for wearable power generation when a large temperature
difference is applied between the outside and inside of the jacket.
Conclusion: This work demonstrated the
cooling and power generation performance of CNT-based TE fabrics as a
proof-of-concept study. Further improvement of material properties and
optimization of fabric design will be necessary for future practical
application.
Impact Statement: The proposed TE
fabric is expected to enhance the thermal comfort of firefighters and thus help
significantly reduce the risk of cardiac arrest due to excess heat at a fire
scene for them. Even in normal work conditions, the TE cooling fabric will help
maintain the temperature inside the suit at the comfort level to reduce mental
stresses and physical fatigue. Although it is developed primarily for
firefighters, the TE fabric will have broader market opportunities for workers
in harsh environment and work conditions including soldiers, construction
workers, nurses, and doctors.