A Miniaturized Autonomous Thermomagnetic Generator

ABSTRACT Thermomagnetic generators (TMG) are promising devices for converting low‐grade waste heat into electricity. Self‐actuation using permanent magnets is the key to autonomy. Tailoring thermomagnetic materials in the form of flexible and freestanding films is a way toward high power‐density through fast, and efficient heat transfer. Design optimization, and the use of micromagnets represent a unique opportunity toward miniaturization. Here, the operation and performance of a TMG using a flexible freestanding Gd film as the active substance, and an array of NdFeB micromagnets as field source is presented. The Gd film self oscillates under the effect of the magnetic field gradient, entering in contact with the heat source, and the heat sink alternatively. At an operating frequency of Hz, a designed piezoelectric spring converts the mechanical oscillation into electrical energy, reaching up to power‐output with temperature difference. The magnetic field gradient acting over the thermal switch, and triggering the caloric response of this thick Gd film, is generated by an array of thick NdFeB micromagnets, which produces a T variation in field strength over a gap. The power density normalized to the combined volume of the Gd film and of the magnet reaches up to .

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-10-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.78986
Primary Topic
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A Miniaturized Autonomous Thermomagnetic Generator

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Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
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A Miniaturized Autonomous Thermomagnetic Generator

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article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Thermomagnetic generators (TMG) are promising devices for converting low‐grade waste heat into electricity. Self‐actuation using permanent magnets is the key to autonomy. Tailoring thermomagnetic materials in the form of flexible and freestanding films is a way toward high power‐density through fast, and efficient heat transfer. Design optimization, and the use of micromagnets represent a unique opportunity toward miniaturization. Here, the operation and performance of a TMG using a flexible freestanding Gd film as the active substance, and an array of NdFeB micromagnets as field source is presented. The Gd film self oscillates under the effect of the magnetic field gradient, entering in contact with the heat source, and the heat sink alternatively. At an operating frequency of Hz, a designed piezoelectric spring converts the mechanical oscillation into electrical energy, reaching up to power‐output with temperature difference. The magnetic field gradient acting over the thermal switch, and triggering the caloric response of this thick Gd film, is generated by an array of thick NdFeB micromagnets, which produces a T variation in field strength over a gap. The power density normalized to the combined volume of the Gd film and of the magnet reaches up to .

Advanced Functional Materials
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Université Paris-Saclay (FR), Sorbonne Université (FR), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (FR), Institut des NanoSciences de Paris (FR), Laboratoire des systèmes et applications des technologies de l'information et de l'énergie (FR), Institut Néel (FR), Université Grenoble Alpes (FR)
Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Laboratoire Systèmes et Ingénierie de Paris-Saclay
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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