Organic thermogenerators for energy autarkic systems on flexible substrates

Thermoelectric elements (thermogenerators) with organic semiconductors or semimetals, respectively, are presented. To show the feasibility of such elements, in particular organic charge transfer salts and graphite powder as 'active' materials were investigated. These active materials were embedded in a PVC blend and screen printed to build a first thick film prototype. It was shown that combinations of active materials with appropriate resistivity and Seebeck coefficient are promising candidates for future thin film thermogenerators on flexible substrates.