How can I generate power from body heat, think wrist watch.

Question

I'm searching for something with wristband size contact area that could generate enough power to operate a watch and possibly a small motor.

First, is this possible?

Second, who makes this?

Third, can a normal American (me) afford to work with it?

Answer 1

Yes u can

There comes an temperature sensor IC(Integrated Circuit) which can be used to detect the temperature of the body. This output can be fed to a charge storing circuit consisting of capacitors and other elements. This stored electricity can be used to give power to the wrist watch.

Answer 2

a thermocouple could possibly do the job but a thermopile would give more power(its a series of thermocouples connected together)

another but they require a lot of heat more than the human body can provide

Answer 3

Your body can generate electricity by using a thermocouple, but the amount is too small for practical applications. I suspect that the new electronic thermometers in clinical use operate on that principle, but that's just a guess.

You would need to develop a much more powerful thermocouple, and I doubt that can be done; it has had years of research already.

Answer 4

already done   see

http://www.roachman.com/thermic/

cheers