Printed Organic Thermoelectric Generators: Progress and Challenges Towards Efficient Energy Harvesting

Печатные органические термоэлектрические генераторы: прогресс и проблемы на пути к эффективному сбору энергии
Vijitha Ignatious, Pietro Rossi, Matteo Massetti, Cecilia Mattevi, Francisco Molina‐Lopez, Mario Caironi
2026-02-27

2D and 3D printingflexible energy harvestingprintable thermoelectric materialsprinted organic thermoelectric generatorssustainable wearable electronics
ABSTRACT Printed organic thermoelectric generators (OTEGs) represent a rapidly advancing class of flexible and sustainable energy harvesting devices capable of converting low‐grade heat into electrical energy. This Perspective highlights recent progress in printable thermoelectric materials, device architectures, and the development of 2D and 3D printed OTEGs. Despite notable improvements, the power output of printed OTEGs typically remains below 100 nW cm −2 , with the best devices reaching up to 48 µW cm −2 under moderate temperature differences. The Perspective also discusses emerging efforts toward green processing, biodegradable substrates, and solvent‐free formulations that minimize environmental impact and electronic waste. Finally, future directions are outlined for developing high‐performance, recyclable, and hybrid thermoelectric systems integrated with other energy harvesting technologies, paving the way toward fully sustainable and autonomous wearable electronics.
1
Future development targets high-performance, recyclable, hybrid thermoelectric systems integrated with other harvesters for autonomous wearable electronics.
2
Green processing, biodegradable substrates, and solvent-free formulations are emerging strategies to reduce environmental impact and electronic waste.
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Printed OTEG power output typically remains below 100 nW cm−2, although the best reported devices reach 48 µW cm−2 under moderate temperature differences.
4
Printed organic thermoelectric generators convert low-grade heat into electricity while enabling flexible and potentially sustainable energy harvesting.
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Recent progress encompasses printable thermoelectric materials, device architectures, and both two-dimensional and three-dimensional printed generator designs.

printed organic thermoelectric generators (OTEGs)

their progress, power-generation performance, printable materials and architectures, and sustainability toward efficient low-grade-heat energy harvesting

Publication Details
Publication Date
2026-02-27
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Authors
Vijitha Ignatious
Pietro Rossi
Matteo Massetti
Cecilia Mattevi
Francisco Molina‐Lopez
Mario Caironi
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