Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42359332›Full record

ReviewNational science review2026

A bird's-eye view for future ionic thermoelectrics: from ions to products.

Ziyao Xu, Mao Yu, Qikai Li, Chunjing Wang, Yuxiu Yao, Ruixin Wei, Cheng Chi, Cheng Yan, Xiaogang Zhang, Yinghong Xu and 8 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in National science review, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Ziyao XuInstitute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Mao YuDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Qikai LiDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Chunjing WangCollege of Integrated Circuits, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
Yuxiu YaoCollege of Integrated Circuits, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
Ruixin WeiCollege of Integrated Circuits, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
Cheng ChiKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System of Ministry of Education, School of Energy Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
Cheng YanSchool of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia.
Xiaogang ZhangCollege of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China.
Yinghong XuCollege of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China.
Baoling HuangDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Dongyan XuDepartment of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0548-8813
Yun ShenDepartment of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Zehao ZhaoDepartment of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Shien-Ping FengDepartment of Systems Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Weishu LiuDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Hulin ZhangCollege of Integrated Circuits, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
Shangchao LinInstitute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) technology offers a compelling pathway for harvesting low-grade heat, distinguished by its exceptionally high thermopower and inherent material versatility. However, development in this field is constrained by the complex interplay among electrochemical, thermodynamic, and transport phenomena, which poses significant challenges to the fundamental understanding, accurate performance evaluation, and systematic screening of new materials. This review provides a systematic overview and outlook of the i-TE landscape, bridging fundamental principles with future applications. We begin by deconstructing the core components-electrolytes and electrodes-to elucidate the material design strategies that govern the performance. The discussion then progresses to a multi-scale evaluation of key metrics, from intrinsic i-TE properties to device-level energy conversion and storage capabilities. A central focus is placed on dissecting the persistent chemical and physical challenges, including ion selectivity, transport dynamics, and interfacial engineering. This review further surveys the emerging applications of i-TE, ranging from wearable power generation and active cooling to multimodal sensing and integrated multifunctional systems. Furthermore, we highlight the paradigm-shifting potential of synergistic systems, where coupling thermoelectric effects with electrochemical, photocatalytic, or hydrovoltaic processes unlocks unprecedented functionalities and performance enhancements. Ultimately, this review synthesizes current understanding to propose a strategic roadmap for this field. It outlines the key scientific and engineering perspectives on standardization, scalable manufacturing, and reliability that are essential to translate laboratory innovations into viable commercial technologies.

Indexed as

energy conversion and storageionic thermoelectricslow-grade heat harvestingmultifunctional devicethermodiffusion effectthermogalvanic effect

Identifiers

PMID42359332
PMCPMC13292186

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.