PrinTEG’s key aim is the development of an automation process to provide high-volume production at low cost to satisfy the demand for TEG applications. The expected outcome will be the production of TEGs capable of delivering 600W-1kW power. Relying on the background intellectual property and new upcoming foreground intellectual property, PrinTEG will allow the commercialisation of TEGs for high-volume applications as for the automotive industry.  

Therefore, PrinTEG will provide a low-cost, highly flexible manufacturing technology to produce a broad range of highly efficient TE devices in the first instance for automotive OEMs and then for a wider range of markets including Marine, Solar Renewables and Industrial waste heat.  

Aims 

• Reduced CO2 and other emissions. PrinTEG enables an emission saving of 24 kg per vehicle in one year. 

• Reduced requirement for fossil-based fuels. 13.3 litres of fuel will be saved per year and car. 

• Helping to reduce global warming. 

• Creation of new jobs. Based on our sales forecast 6,000 new jobs will be created or secured within the UK. 

The Prestege project is the development of a cost-effective, innovative printing process for the manufacture of energy-harvesting thermoelectric generators (TEGs). The TEGs that are produced will be integrated into advanced, energy-efficient wireless sensor networks for the monitoring of district heat pipes. 

The Prestege project will deliver a device that will harvest 3mW to recharge a lithium battery, increasing its lifetime to over 10 years (current Li-ion battery technology in this application has a lifetime of 6-24 months). 

Additionally, district heating providers would like to be able to monitor in real-time the demand for hot water. The inspection wells that are distributed every 150 metres are ideal locations to position the sensors, enabling the measurement of water height, temperature and flow rate.

Aims 

To develop a device that will harvest 3 mW to recharge a lithium battery. 

To allow district heating providers to monitor in real time, the demand for hot water. 

Create jobs within the SME partners. 

Reduce the need to consume fossil fuels by developing a device that can recharge itself. 

ElectroTEG is a pioneering endeavour aimed at the development of an innovative electro-deposition process for thermoelectric materials. This cutting-edge approach holds the promise of revolutionising the commercial manufacturing of fully dense nano-structured thermoelectric materials. By eliminating the need for labour-intensive material consolidation, machining, and manual assembly, ElectroTEG aims to significantly enhance efficiency while reducing costs. 

Key Objectives: 

• Low-Temperature Electro-Deposition: The primary goal of ElectroTEG is to create a low-temperature thermoelectric electro-deposition process. This innovative technique will enable the production of fully dense nanostructured thermoelectric materials, simplifying the manufacturing process. 

• Marine Efficiency Enhancement: ElectroTEG responds to the growing demand among marine engine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), engine marinisers, exhaust system manufacturers, operators, and users for increased vessel efficiency. The project seeks to harness Thermo-Electric Generators (TEGs) to generate electrical power from the high-quality heat extracted from exhaust systems. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, aligning with economic and legislative objectives. 

• Market Expansion: Recent material advancements, particularly in nano-structuring, have propelled thermoelectric performance to new heights. The automotive sector is now exploring waste heat energy recovery technologies, driving market growth. However, labor-intensive manufacturing processes have hindered large-scale adoption. ElectroTEG aims to develop cost-effective manufacturing technologies, ensuring the viability of mass production within the UK and preventing the export of production to low-cost economies. 

ElectroTEG is a collaborative effort involving a consortium of research-capable partners. The project aims not only to secure TEG manufacturing within the UK but also to commercialise the results of ongoing thermoelectric research activities, which have already yielded globally competitive materials and processes. While the initial technology demonstrations will focus on marine applications due to their minimal space and cooling constraints, ElectroTEG also anticipates future applications in the automotive and industrial waste heat energy recovery sectors. 

Project Timeline: The project’s conclusion is set for June 2016, marking a significant milestone in the development of advanced thermoelectric materials and processes. 

Key Aims: 

• High-Quality Dense Materials: ElectroTEG aims to develop high-quality dense thermoelectric materials through its innovative deposition process. 

• Optimised Device Fabrication: The project focuses on the optimisation of processes for device fabrication, ensuring efficient and reliable manufacturing. 

• Ionic Liquid Formulation: ElectroTEG is committed to formulating ionic liquids with reduced environmental and energy costs, promoting sustainability. 

ElectroTEG seeks to develop robust intellectual property as the foundation for future commercialisation and scale-up efforts.