World’s first thermoelectric rubber band turns body heat into power

Chinese researchers at Peking University have developed the world’s first thermoelectric rubber band capable of converting body heat into electricity. Unlike previous thermoelectric materials that were flexible but not elastic, this new material combines high elasticity with efficient thermoelectric conversion. By exploiting the temperature difference between the human body (around 37°C) and ambient air (20–30°C), the rubber band can continuously generate power. The innovation stems from blending semiconducting polymers with elastic rubber and engineering a nanofibre network that allows the material to stretch over 850% of its original length while maintaining conductivity and recovering its shape, similar to natural rubber. This breakthrough opens up diverse applications beyond just powering wearable devices like smartwatches without bulky batteries or frequent charging. Potential uses include remote communications equipment powered by heat from fires, integration into clothing to charge phones and regulate temperature, and medical devices such as lightweight cardiovascular monitors that draw power directly from body heat. The research, published in the journal Nature, represents significant