Thermoelectric (TE) heating and cooling devices, which are able to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy and vice versa, are effective and have exhibited a potential for energy harvesting. With the increasing consumer demands for various wearable electronics, organic-based TE composite materials offer a promise for the TE devices applications. Conductive polymers are widely used as flexible TE materials replacing inorganic materials due to their flexibility, low thermal conductivity, mechanical flexibility, ease of processing, and low cost. In this review, we briefly introduce the latest research trends in the flexible TE technology and provide a comprehensive summary of specific conductive polymer-based TE material fabrication technologies. We also summarize the manufacture for high-efficiency TE composites through the complexation of a conductive polymer matrix/inorganic TE filler. We believe that this review will inspire further research to improve the TE performance of conductive polymers.
The purpose of this study is examining thermal dissipation materials for the lighting and radiate efficiency improvement of 8W LED and confirming the properness of the thermal dissipation materials for LED heat sink. Solid Works flow simulation on 8W class COB was done based on the material characteristics of thermal conductive polymer materials. According to the result of simulation, Al had better thermal dissipation performance than PET. Highest temperature was 7.6℃ higher while lowest temperature was 7.8℃ lower. The test on the heat sinks made by the materials, highest temperature was 4.1℃ higher and lowest temperature was 3.9℃ lower. It is possible to confirm that Al heat sink has better thermal dissipation efficiency because it has better dispersion of heat generated at junction temperature and less heat cohesion. The weight of PET heat sink was reduced than Al heat sink by 46.9% by the density difference between Al and PET. In conclusion, thermal dissipation performance of thermal conductive polymer is lower than Al material however, it is possible to lighting heat sink because thermal conductive polymer has better formability, has lower specific weight and enables various design options.