Waste Heat from Laptops as Source of

Thermoelectric Energy to Increase its

Battery Life

An Investigatory Project Submitted to the Scientific Research Committee of

the Dagupan City National High School- Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics

Proponents:
Wilma C. Alemios
Allyah Ross M. Duque
Phoebe Christia P. Ferrer

January, 2018

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 ABSTRACT

Proponents: Wilma C. Alemios,

Allyah Ross M. Duque, Phoebe Christia P. Ferrer,

Waste Heat from Laptops as Source of Thermoelectric

Title of Project: Energy to Increase its Battery Life

School: Dagupan City National High School – Science

Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Project Adviser: Myla DG. Mejia

This study entitled “Waste Heat from Laptops as a Source of Thermoelectric Energy
to Increase its Battery Life” was conducted to determine if the waste heat from laptops
can be used to increase its battery life. Moreover, this study aims the efficiency of using
waste heat from the laptop to generate electricity in terms of its power output (in watts).

Statistical analysis showed that the computed t-value, 3, is greater than the t-
critical value of 2.35, hence, there is a significant difference between using the
conventional charger of a laptop and using the thermoelectric modules device in terms
of the rate of increase in batter power percentage and charging time. It also shows that
the power generated by the waste heat harvested by the thermoelectric module is
sufficient enough to be able to charge the laptop.

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that the waste heat from laptop
harvested by thermoelectric modules is sufficient enough to be able to charge a laptop.
It was also shown that although it is enough, the charging time is less than that of using
the laptop’s conventional charger in terms of the rate of increase of battery percentage
and the total time it takes for the laptop to fully charge.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Abstract ii

INTEL FORMS iii

RESEARCH PLAN iv

A. The Problem v
B. Goals/Expected Outcome ix
C. Description in Details
of Methods and Procedures xi
D. Bibliography xiii

WRITE UP

 Introduction 1
 Methodology 4
 Results and Discussion 7
 Summary, Conclusions
and Recommendations 12
 Bibliography 13

DOCUMENTATIONS 14

CURRICULUM VITAE 16

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 INTEL
FORMS

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL iv

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RESEARCH
PLAN

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Researchers: Wilma C. Alemios,
Allyah Ross M. Duque, Phoebe Christia P. Ferrer

Waste Heat from Laptops as Source of Thermoelectric

Title of Project: Energy to Increase its Battery Life

School:
Dagupan City National High School – Science
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Project Adviser: Milanie M. Flores

A. The Problem

People now are concerned on the environmental issues of emissions and

the limitations of energy resources, most of these an effect caused by their own

doings. This increase in concern of environmental issues of emissions, in particular

global warming and the limitations of energy resources has resulted in extensive

research into novel technologies of generating electrical power. When we utilize any

gadget, or means of comfort we know that these devices consume energy. But the

energy is not utilized by devices. Some of the energy is lost in the form of friction or

heat. All computers require electricity to function, and some computer components

require more electricity than others. These operations can generate a noticeable

amount of waste heat. It is also noticeable that after long hours of using a laptop the

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 underneath surface of the laptop is very hot. The underneath surface of a laptop being

hot while using it proves that as a laptop is being used it generates heat.

Knowing this, it challenged the researchers to create a device that would

make use of a laptop’s waste heat generation by utilizing the developing technology

of thermoelectric power generation, specifically by using thermoelectric modules to

generate electricity from a laptop’s generated waste heat to increase its own battery

life.

Rationale of the Study

In recent years, an increasing concern of environmental issues of emissions in

particular global warming and the limitations of energy resources has resulted in

extensive research into novel technologies of generating electrical power. In order to

achieve a stable supply of energy and a sustainable society, there is a need to promote

the use of this waste heat. The key to this, lies in the technology of thermoelectric power

generators which allows the direct conversion of waste heat into electrical energy.

Thermoelectric power generators have emerged as a promising alternative green

technology due to their distinct advantages. Thermoelectric power generation offer a

potential application in the direct conversion of waste-heat energy into electrical power

where it is unnecessary to consider the cost of the thermal energy input. The application

of this alternative green technology in converting waste-heat energy directly into

electrical power can also improve the overall efficiencies of energy conversion systems.

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 Using thermoelectric modules to generate electro-energy is becoming a vital, valid

choice. Interest in energy sources such as thermoelectric generating modules is warming

because of the latest achievements in the sphere of thermoelectric technology and

constructions. As thermoelectric modules take advantage of temperature difference,

Thermoelectric energy harvesting may one day eliminate the need for replacing batteries

or double the battery’s life in applications such as remote sensor networks or mobile

devices. Particularly, attractive is the ability to generate energy from waste heat that

could power consumer devices such as laptops.

B. Goals/Expected Outcomes

This study aims to determine if the waste heat from laptops can be used to

increase its battery life. Moreover, this study aims to know the efficiency of using waste

heat from the laptop to generate electricity in terms of its power output (in watts). It

aims to determine the electricity generated by the waste heat sufficient enough to be

able to charge the laptop. It also aims to know the significant difference between using

waste heat from the laptop to increase its battery life and using its conventional charger

in terms of the time it increase rate of battery percentage and the charging time.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine if the waste heat from laptops can be used to

increase its battery life. It will try to answer the following sub-problems:

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1. What is the efficiency of using waste heat from the laptop to generate electricity in

terms of its power output (in watts)?

2. Is the electricity generated by the waste heat sufficient enough to be able to charge

the laptop?

3. Is there a significant difference between using waste heat from the laptop to increase

its battery life and using its conventional charger in terms of:

a) The time it increase rate of battery percentage;

b) charging time?

Hypotheses

The hypotheses will be tested at 0.05 level of significance

1. Using waste heat from laptop to generate electricity is not efficient in terms of

power output (in watts).

2. The electricity generated by the waste heat is not sufficient enough to be able to

charge the laptop.

3. There is no significant difference between using waste heat from the laptop to

increase its battery life and using its conventional charger in terms of:

a) The time it increase rate of battery percentage;

b) charging time.

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C. Description in Detail of Methods of Procedures

C.1. Procedures

I. Preparation of the Block Diagram

The block diagram will be sketched to make an initial insight on how the

thermoelectric generator will work.

II. Assembly of the Thermoelectric Generator

A. Preparation of the materials

All materials that will be gathered both initial and additional will be prepared for

the assembly. It will be inspected for damages and will prepped for assembly.

B. Attachment of the components

The researchers will carefully follow the steps provided with the parts for attaching

the components. The thermoelectric generator will be attached to bottom of the laptop

where heat will be released. The seebeck effect will be applied in which the temperature

difference provides the potential for efficient energy conversion of the waste-heat from

laptop into electrical power, while heat flow provides the power.

C. Testing of the Thermoelectric Generator’s functionality

The researchers will test if the thermoelectric generator is functioning well by

testing it to the laptop.

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 D. Measuring the Thermoelectric Generator’s Power Output

The researchers will measure the thermoelectric generator’s power output by using

a voltage measurement device.

III. Statistical Analysis

The data gathered will be tested using T-test.

𝑋1 − 𝑋2
𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑡 =
𝑆2 𝑆2
√ 1+ 2
𝑛1 𝑛2

Where:

𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑡 = obtained t

𝑋1 − 𝑋2= means for the two group

𝑆12 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆22 = variances of two groups

𝑛1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛2 = number of participants in each of the two groups

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D. Bibliography
Ismail, B. I. (2008). Research Gate. Retrieved October 20, 2016, from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228637825_Thermoelectric_Power_Ge

neration_Using_Waste-Heat_Energy_as_an_Alternative_Green_Technology

Technology - Thermoelectric. (2016). Thermoelectric. Retrieved 11 December 2016,

from https://thermal.ferrotec.com/technology/

(2016). Education.seattlepi.com. Retrieved 11 December 2016, from

http://education.seattlepi.com/electricity-affect-environment-6590.html

Energy Challenges | energy4me. (2016). Energy4me.org. Retrieved 11 December 2016,

from http://energy4me.org/all-about-energy/energy-challengess/

Converting Waste Heat to Electricity. (2016). AENews. Retrieved 11 December 2016,

from http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/waste-heat-to-electricity/

Waste Heat Could Double Battery Life on Laptops, Cell Phones. (2016). AENews.

Retrieved 11 December 2016, from http://www.alternative-energy-

news.info/waste-heat-battery-life-laptops-cell-phones/

Stanford, MIT scientists find new way to harness waste heat . (2016). Stanford

University. Retrieved 11 December 2016, from

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/may/waste-heat-battery-052114.html

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