Thermoelectric Generator with Thermal Contact and Cooling Surfaces using Kirigami Structure Stood up by Stretching Deformation

We proposed a kirigami structure for thermoelectric generator (TEG), which (i) can be stood up by stretching deformation and (ii) has both of a thermal contact surface with the heat source and a cooling surface. The proposed kirigami TEGs make it possible to stand up multiple units at once by stretching deformation and can provide a large temperature difference to the thermoelectric elements by having thermal contact and cooling surfaces. In the proposed structure, a large temperature difference in the thermoelectric elements is achieved by controlling the standing-up height and designing with appropriate beam length.