POWER GENERATION USING A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR AND A PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL

An energy harvesting device is disclosed that includes a thermoelectric device adapted to produce electricity according to a Seebeck effect when a thermal gradient is imposed across first and second major surfaces thereof, a housing enclosing a phase change material that is disposed for thermal communication with the first major surface of the thermoelectric device, and a radio transmitter electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device, the radio transmitter capable of transmitting wireless signals. In another aspect, the housing includes a conductive fin therein to provide more uniform distribution of heat to the phase change material.