JMJ Marist Brothers

Notre Dame of Marbel University

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Chapter 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

In the past years, thermoelectricity has become popular not only in the
industry but also in the academic fields. Thermoelectricity is a two-way process. It
can refer either to the way a temperature is different from one side of a material
and the other can produce electricity, or to the reverse: the way of putting or adding
an electric current through a material can create a temperature difference from its
two sides, which can be used to heat or cool things without combustion or moving
parts (Chandler 2010.) Some of the source of the thermoelectricity is naturally
present for instance, our body heat could be a source of heat to convert into
electricity. As a result, nowadays a lot of research is being made base from
thermoelectricity or energy harvesting devices. (Sarkar et al. 2015)

However, the present thermoelectric devices are only capable of producing

small amount of energy or only enough energy for low – power consuming
technology. High – power consuming technologies depends on further
improvement of the present thermoelectric devices. This establishes the necessity
of thermoelectric device which can yield electricity utilizing wastage heat like heat
from a candle light and which is not only easy to adapt in daily life but also cost
effective. Besides, this sort of device is environment friendly as it uses up the
unused heat from the candle. (Sarkar et al. 2015)

The world’s need for energy is causing a dramatic escalation of social and
political unrest. Likewise, the environmental impact of global climate change due
to the combustion of fossil fuels is becoming increasingly alarming. One method
or process to improve the sustainability of our electricity base is through the
scavenging of waste heat with thermoelectric generators. Automotive exhaust,
Home heating, and industrial processes all generate an enormous amount of
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

unused waste heat that could be converted to electricity by using thermoelectric.

As thermoelectric generators are solid-state devices, they are silent, reliable and
scalable, making them ideal for a small, portable, distributed power generation.
(Rowe 2012)

All solid-state devices that transform heat into electricity are thermoelectric
generators. Thermoelectric generators, unlike conventional dynamic heat engines,
it contains no moving parts or materials and are completely silent. For more than
30 years of maintenance-free operation, such generators have been used reliably
in deep space probes such as NASA's Voyager missions. (Fisk, 2011)

Statement of the Problem

The main goal of the study is to have knowledge about the Candle-Powered
Thermoelectric Mobile Charger based on the following.

1. Determine the voltage output generated by the Thermoelectric Generator.

2. The relationship between temperature and voltage.
3. Time it takes for the electricity to be generated.

Scope and Limitation

This study entitled “Candle-Powered Thermoelectric Mobile Charger” aims

to produce and provide sufficient electricity for mobile devices to address the given
blackout and power shortage problems in the community. In building the project
the following materials to be used are Thermoelectric Peltier, Heatsink, Thermal
paste, USB Fan, Supercapacitor, AVG Wires and USB Charging Module. The
researchers will be using experimental method in making this study.

This study will only be limited to the production of thermoelectric chargers

for mobile devices only and will not exceed by making a thermoelectric generator
for other appliances.
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Significance of the Study

Mobile devices is seen as a must in everyday life of people. Hopefully, this

study will be significant to the following:

Community This study will help them in providing electricity to charge their
mobile devices in cases of electricity lost or shortage.

Teachers This will serve as an alternative power bank for them to carry and
to charge their mobile devices during their busy schedules.

Researchers This study will help them gain more knowledge in the field of
electrical engineering and technology that will be of use to them in preparation for
the courses that they will take in the future.

Future Researchers This study will serve as an additional literature for

future studies and will help them in developing a more efficient thermoelectric
mobile charger or generator.