Background of The Study

INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
For the past few years, there had been a growing concern on global warming.
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.
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
(Ismail, 2008).
A thermoelectric module is a circuit containing thermoelectric materials that
generate electricity from heat directly. Nations the world over are actively searching for
alternative, clean energy sources. By applying a low voltage DC power to a TE module,
heat will be moved through the module from one side to the other. One module face,
therefore, will be cooled while the opposite face is simultaneously heated. It is important
to note that this phenomenon may be reversed whereby a change in the polarity (plus
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Strand
School Year 2018-2019
and minus) of the applied DC voltage will cause heat to be moved in the opposite
direction. Consequently, a thermoelectric module may be used for both heating and
cooling thereby making it highly suitable for precise temperature control applications. A
thermoelectric module can also be used for power generation. In this mode, a
temperature differential applied across the module will generate a current.
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.
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. As electricity passes across
circuits and through wires, it meets a natural degree of resistance. This resistance, like
the friction of two hands rapidly rubbing together, creates heat. Some components, like
LED lights, only require a small amount of electricity to function and their heat output is
negligible. Other components, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Graphics Processing
Unit (GPU), require considerably more electrical input. Moreover, the amount of electricity

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used by those components is highly variable, depending on the kind and number of
applications running or calculations being performed. These operations can generate a
noticeable amount of waste heat. It is also noticeable that after long hours of using a
laptop the 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.
This device if proven to be significant, will be a promising new way of doubling a laptop’s
batter life and may potentially help in our current energy and environmental problems by
powering millions of laptops by means of clean energy production from waste heat rather
than making use of our current means of producing electricity which are harmful to the
environment since currently, much of our electricity comes from burning coal in power
plants, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide and other gases.
With these, the researchers decided to create the study entitled, “Waste Heat
from Laptops as Source of Thermoelectric Energy to Increase its Battery Life” which
aims to answer the following questions: What is the efficiency of using waste heat from
the laptop to generate electricity in terms of its power output (in watts)?; Is the
electricity generated by the waste heat sufficient enough to be able to charge the
laptop? and 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 the time it takes

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for the battery percentage of the laptop to increase by 1% and the time it takes for the
laptop to be fully charged? Hence, base from these problems, the researchers
hypothesized the following: Using waste heat from laptop to generate electricity is not
efficient in terms of power output (in watts); The electricity generated by the waste heat
is not sufficient enough to be able to charge the laptop and that 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 the time it takes for the battery percentage of
the laptop to increase by 1% and the time it takes for the laptop to be fully charged.
This study was conducted at Dagupan City National High School from January
2018 to the end of May 2018. This study will be confined to making use of waste heat
from laptops to produce thermoelectric energy to increase its battery life only.
METHODOLOGY
Procedure
1. Preparation of the Block Diagram
The block diagram will be sketched to make an initial insight on how the
thermoelectric generator will work.
2. Assembly of the Thermoelectric Generator
A. Preparation of the materials
All materials that will be gathered both initial and additional will be

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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 see if the thermoelectric generator is functioning well
by testing it to the laptop.
D. Measuring the Thermoelectric Generator’s Power Output
The researchers will measure the thermoelectric generator’s power output
by using a voltage measurement device.

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E. Statistical Tool
The data gathered is 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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RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Table 1: Power Output of Thermoelectric Module TEC1-12706
Temperature in Co
Trial Power Output (in
Cold Hot Watts)
Difference
Side Side
1 22 C 58 C 36 C 2.8 W
2 16 C 60 C 44 C 3.4 W
3 14 C 56 C 42 C 3.2 W
Group Mean 16 C 58 C 41 C 3.13 W
Table 1 shows the power output of a single thermoelectric module (Model: TEC1-
12706) in 3 trials with varying temperature conditions. In trial 1, with a temperature
difference of 36 C, showed a power output of 2.8 W. In trial 2, with a temperature
difference of 44 C, showed a power output of 3.4 W. Meanwhile, trial 3, with a
temperature difference of 42 C, showed a power output of 3.2 W. In total, the average
power output of the module in 41 C temperature difference is 3.13 W. Multiplying the
average power output of a single module by the total of modules used, it is to be expected
that it will produce a total of 31.3 W, which was then tested by the researchers and the
results shown in the next table.

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Table 2: Power Output of Thermoelectric Modules Device
Temperature in Co
Trial Power Output (in
Cold Hot Watts)
Difference
Side Side
1 20 C 58 C 38 C 23 W
2 19 C 65 C 46 C 29 W
3 18 C 63 C 45 C 26 W
Group Mean 19 C 62 C 43 C 26 W
Table 2, shows the power output of the assembled thermoelectric modules device
consisting of a total of 10 thermoelectric modules of the model TEC1-12706. In 3 trials,
the device showed an average power output of 26 W in an average temperature
difference of 43 C. The average power output of the device is 5.3 W less than what is
expected (31.3 W as discussed in Table 1).
Table 3: Laptop 1 Charged Using Conventional Charger
Charging Time (in hours)

Laptop’s Power Percentage
0 (Drained battery) 0%
1 27%
2 54%
3 81%
4 100%
Average Increase Per
27% per hour
Hour

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In Table 3, the average increase of battery percentage of the laptop per hour using
its conventional charger is shown. The laptop was first drained to 0% before it was
charged. In the first hour of charging, the increase was 27%. From the first to second
hour, it was 27%. From the second to third hour it was also 27% and in 4 hours, the
laptop was fully charged. Calculating the average increase per hour, the rate of increase
is 27% per hour using the laptop’s conventional charger.
Table 4: Laptop 2 Charged Using Thermoelectric Modules Device
Charging Time (in hours)

Laptop’s Power Percentage
0 (Drained battery) 0%
1 15%
2 39%
3 65%
4 87%
Average Increase Per
24% per hour
Hour
In Table 4, the average increase of battery percentage of the laptop per hour using
tbe thermoelectric modules device is shown. The laptop was first drained to 0% before it
was charged. In the first hour of charging, the increase was 15%. From the first to second
hour, it was 24%. From the second to third hour it was 26%. In the third to fourth hour,
it was 22%. In 20 more minutes, the laptop was fully charged. Calculating the average
increase per hour, the rate of increase is 24% per hour using the thermoelectric modules
device.

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Table 5: The Comparison of Using Thermoelectric Module Device and Conventional
Charger in Increase in the Laptop’s Battery Power Percentage
Trial No. Conventional Thermoelectric

charger modules
1 27% 24%
2 30% 22%
3 29% 24%
4 31% 20%
Average 29.5% 22.5%
Table 5, shows the comparison of using thermoelectric module device and
conventional charger in increase in the laptop’s battery power percentage. The researches
conducted a total of 4 trials, the 1st trial’s results shown on the table 3 and 4. In 4 trials,
the conventional charger gave an average increase rate of 29.5% while the thermoelectric
modules device gave 22.5%. The results show that the conventional charger was faster
in charging the laptop.

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Table 6: Results of t-test: Paired Two Sample for Means
Conventional Thermoelectric Modules

Charger Device
Mean 29.25 22.5
Variance 2.916666667 3.666666667
Observations 4 4
Pearson Correlation -0.866400225
Hypothesized Mean
Difference 0
df 3
t Stat 3.857142857
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.015395982
t Critical one-tail 2.353363435
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.030791965
t Critical two-tail 3.182446305
Table 6 shows the results of t-Test between applied to this study. The t-tabular
value, 3, si greater than the t-critical value, 2.35 which means that we reject the null
hypothesis, thus, 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.

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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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.
Based from the conclusion, the researchers recommend that future studies develop
a more efficient design in using thermoelectric modules to harvest waste heat from
laptops. It is also recommended that more studies shall be conducted using
thermoelectric modules so as to maximize more it’s potential as a green energy power
source, such as using the module to power other devices that draws less power.

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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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APPENDIX
Thermoelectric Modules Used Gathering of Materials
Making of Platform for the Device Assembling of Materials
szzzzzzzz33
Testing of Device

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation to
the following whose given their generous time and have unconditionally played a big part
for the completion of this study:
First of all, to the dearest Almighty God, for giving them the patience,wisdom,
knowledge and strength to overcome the challenges that they experienced, and
also for the vision He had gave them to be able to create this masterpiece.
To their beloved parents for their endless financial support, concern,
understanding and encouragements; and who allowed the researchers to go into different
places to finish this research paper;
To Mrs. Myla DG. Mejia, their mentor, who guided them throughout the research
process and for the advices and thoughts and for correcting and editing their manuscript.
To Mrs. Milanie M. Flores, their project adviser, who gave his full support and time
to help them in conducting their research process.
Thank you so much. Godspeed and GodBless! To Him all be the Glory!

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PERSONAL DATA
Name: Wilma C. Alemios

Birthday: December 7, 2000
Address: 211 Pantal West, Dagupan City
Designation: Team Leader
Contact No. : 09489896554
e-mail address: alemios.wilma.einstein@gmail.com
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Junior High School: Dagupan City National High School

Junior High School
Tapuac District, Dagupan City
Senior High School: Dagupan City National High School
Senior High School
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

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Name: Allyah Ross M. Duque
Birthday: October 5, 2000
Address: Lucao District, Dagupan City
Designation: Team Member
Contact No. : 09278824551
e-mail address: duque.allyahross.einstein@gmail.com

Junior High School
Senior High School

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Name: Phoebe Christia P. Ferrer
Birthday: April 11, 2001
Address: 356 Tebeng District, Dagupan City
Designation: Team Member
Contact No. : 09385879150
e-mail address: ferrrer.phoebechristia.galielo@gmail.com

Junior High School
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Background of The Study

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INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

in concern of environmental issues of emissions, in particular global warming and the

of generating electrical power.

Thermoelectric power generators have emerged as a promising alternative green

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

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

A thermoelectric module is a circuit containing thermoelectric materials that

alternative, clean energy sources. By applying a low voltage DC power to a TE module,

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

temperature differential applied across the module will generate a current.

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,

could power consumer devices such as laptops.

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

applications running or calculations being performed. These operations can generate a

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

thermoelectric power generation, specifically by using thermoelectric modules to

plants, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide and other gases.

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

1. Preparation of the Block Diagram

thermoelectric generator will work.

2. Assembly of the Thermoelectric Generator

A. Preparation of the materials

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

B. Attachment of the components

attaching the components. The thermoelectric generator will be attached to

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 see if the thermoelectric generator is functioning well

by testing it to the laptop.

D. Measuring the Thermoelectric Generator’s Power Output

The researchers will measure the thermoelectric generator’s power output

by using a voltage measurement device.

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

The data gathered is tested using T-test.

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

DAGUPAN CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Table 1: Power Output of Thermoelectric Module TEC1-12706

Group Mean 16 C 58 C 41 C 3.13 W

12706) in 3 trials with varying temperature conditions. In trial 1, with a temperature

difference of 36 C, showed a power output of 2.8 W. In trial 2, with a temperature

difference of 44 C, showed a power output of 3.4 W. Meanwhile, trial 3, with a

temperature difference of 42 C, showed a power output of 3.2 W. In total, the average

power output of the module in 41 C temperature difference is 3.13 W. Multiplying the

results shown in the next table.

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consisting of a total of 10 thermoelectric modules of the model TEC1-12706. In 3 trials,

the device showed an average power output of 26 W in an average temperature

expected (31.3 W as discussed in Table 1).

Table 3: Laptop 1 Charged Using Conventional Charger

Charging Time (in hours)

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is 27% per hour using the laptop’s conventional charger.

Table 4: Laptop 2 Charged Using Thermoelectric Modules Device

Charging Time (in hours)

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