A review on flexible self-healing thermoelectric devices

The rapid development of wearable and portable electronics has intensified the demand for flexible thermoelectric devices that can convert human body heat into electricity. In practical use, however, such devices suffer from performance degradation caused by mechanical damage and thermal stress, which severely limit their service life and reliability. The recent introduction of self-healing materials offers a promising route to address these challenges. This review summarizes the fundamental principles, architectures, and performance requirements of thermoelectric devices, and surveys the current research progress of self-healing materials employed therein. Evidence to date demonstrates that the rational design and optimization of self-healing materials can markedly enhance the reliability and longevity of thermoelectric devices, providing strong support for the sustainable evolution of flexible electronics.