Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new molecular strategy that prevents carbon nanotubes from clumping together, a problem that has limited their use in energy-harvesting materials for over two decades. The breakthrough, published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, sets a new benchmark for thermoelectric performance, allowing flexible devices to convert body heat into electricity. The team used specially designed molecules to keep nanotubes separated while preserving electrical conductivity. They demonstrated a flexible device that generated power from body heat and remained durable after repeated bending. The technology could enable battery-free wearable health sensors, smart textiles, and waste heat recovery systems for industrial applications. This research supports broader efforts in zero-emission power generation and carbon neutrality. While still at the lab stage, the approach offers a practical path toward more efficient thermoelectric materials that could help reduce reliance on conventional batteries and capture otherwise wasted heat energy.
