Robust bendable thermoelectric generators enabled by elasticity strengthening

Se, in which dense dislocations and refined grain induced by a multi-pass hot-rolling technique enable a significant enhancement in elasticity. The resultant hot-rolled elastic thin thermoelectric generators realize a record bendability, for at least 1,000,000 times at a tiny bending radius of 3 mm with an extraordinary power density. Such a bendability is applicable to the most curved surfaces of a human body, suggesting a promising strategy for powerful wearable thermoelectrics of all inorganics.