Thermoelectric Device Could Be Used to Charge Gadgets with Their Own Heat Someday

Murata Manufacturing, the same company behind unicycling kindergartner robot, Seiko-chan, has come up with a device capable of converting heat into energy ready for use. The thermoelectric device is comprised of two ceramic semiconductors of which one is subjected to 90 degrees Celsius heat while the other is cooled at 20 degrees Celsius. These two semiconductors of opposing temperatures sandwich a metal plate.

The whole setup produces an electric current, with the current version of the thermoelectric device having a power output of ten milliwatts that's just enough to run a small, plastic fan. It's obvious that the technology is still in its infancy but once developed, the device could be a fixture on gadgets such as cell phones and laptops, enabling them to convert their own heat into energy to charge their batteries.