The Role of Thermoelectricity in Biological Research and Medical Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63527/1607-8829-2026-3-63-81Keywords:
Thermoelectricity, biology, medicineAbstract
The article considers the use of thermoelectric phenomena of the Peltier and Seebeck effects and devices based on them as a highly effective tool for solving current problems in the field of Life Sciences. Considerable attention is paid to the advantages of thermoelectric cooling, heating and highly sensitive thermometry due to the absence of moving parts, due to the high accuracy of temperature maintenance and compactness of the devices.
References
1. Enescu, D. (2024). Innovations in thermoelectric technology: From materials to applications. Energies, 17(7), 1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071692
2. Adair, R., Astumian, R., & Weaver, J. (1998). Detection of weak electric fields by sharks, rays, and skates. Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, 8(3), 576–587. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.166339
3. EvenSkyn. (n.d.). The biochemistry of collagen: Implications for microcurrent facials. https://www.evenskyn.com/blogs/skin-beautyarticles/biochemistry-collagen-microcurrent-facials
4. Athenstaedt, H. (1974). Pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties of vertebrates. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 238(1), 68–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1974.tb26780.x
5. Zhang, Z., Wang, Z., Li, X., Zheng, Y., & Yang, Z. (2025). Design and Manufacturing of Piezoelectric Biomaterials for Bioelectronics and Biomedical Applications. Chemical Reviews, 125(20), 9875–9929. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.5c00399
6. Ioana Visan, A., Negut, I., & Hapenciuc, C. (2025). Recent Advances in Thermoelectric Materials for Biomedical Applications: Energy Harvesting and Wearables. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.1009793.
7. ZJCX Tech. (2025, March 12). How Peltier thermoelectric coolers enhance PCR thermal cycling. https://www.zjcxtech.com/how-peltier-thermoelectric-coolers-enhance-pcr-thermal-cycling/
8. Kridelbaugh, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding thermal cyclers: An introduction and overview. Lab Manager. https://www.labmanager.com/understanding-thermal-cyclers-an-introduction-and-overview-31635
9. Rho, N. K. (2022). Revisiting the role of local cryotherapy for acne treatment: A review and update. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(1), Article 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010026
10. Zabilo, Y., Shlykov, V., & Vovianko, S. (2023). Using the Peltier effect for intravascular cooling of donor organs. Biomedical Engineering and Technology, (10). https://doi.org/10.20535/2617-8974.2023.10.281415
11. Sun, D., Han, X., Wang, H., Shen, L., Gao, C., Niu, J., Liu, X., Ye, J., & Yao, Q. (2024). Investigation on the linear cooling method of microfluidic chip based on thermoelectric cooler. Energy, 309, 132933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132933
12. Havryliuk, M., Kobylianskyi, R., & Konstantynovych, I. (2026). Thermoelectric Device for Iontophoresis. Journal of Thermoelectricity, (1), 84–92. https://doi.org/10.63527/1607-8829-2026-1-84-92.
13. Kordani, N., Rahmani, A., & Hasanzadeh, R. P. (2018). Smart Portable Cryotherapy System Involving Controlled Thermoelectric Cooling Modules for Medical Applications. IIUM Engineering Journal, 19(1), 117–128. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumej.v19i1.791
14. Xu, Q., Deng, B., Wang, Y., Liu, W., & Chen, G. (2023). Small, affordable, ultra-low-temperature vapor-compression and thermoelectric hybrid freezer for clinical applications. Cell Reports Physical Science, 4(12), 101735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101735
15. de Albuquerque Neto, F. R., de Oliveira, J. E. F., Dourado da Silva, R. G., Tomás, A. C. C., Ochoa, A. A. V., da Costa, J. Â. P., de Souza, A. C., & Michima, P. S. A. (2025). Statistical Analysis of Temperature Sensors Applied to a Biological Material Transport System: Challenges, Discrepancies, and a Proposed Monitoring Methodology. Processes, 13(6), 1904. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061904
16. Salim, B., Alsalam, B., & Al Rifaie, M. (2023, June 19). An experimental investigation of a portable solar thermoelectric fridge for storing some vaccines. Northern Technical University. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.168717639.93235175/v1
17. Nadimuthu, L. P. R., Victor, K., Bajaj, M., Blazek, V., & Prokop, L. (2025). Solar-thermoelectric mobile storage system integrated with electric vehicles for reducing postharvest and microbial losses in agro produce transportation. Scientific Reports, 15, 15522. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00501-9
18. Daniol, M., Boehler, L., Sroka, R., & Keller, A. (2020). Modeling and Implementation of TEG-Based Energy Harvesting System for Steam Sterilization Surveillance Sensor Node. Sensors, 20(21), 6338. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20216338
19. Gemma, A., Tabatabaei, F., Drechsler, U., Gotsmann, B., & Lörtscher, E. (2023). Full thermoelectric characterization of a single molecule. Nature Communications, 14(1), 3868. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39368-7
20. Li, Y., Xiang, L., Palma, J., Asai, Y., & Tao, N. (2016). Thermoelectric effect and its dependence on molecular length and sequence in single DNA molecules. Nature Communications, 7(1), 11294. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11294
21. Kridelbaugh, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding thermal cyclers: An introduction and overview. Lab Manager. https://www.labmanager.com/understanding-thermal-cyclers-an-introduction-and-overview-31635
22. Zimbovskaya, N. A. (2024). Thermoelectric properties of Marcus molecular junctions [Preprint]. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.07099
23. He, P., Jang, J., Kang, H., & Yoon, H. J. (2025). Thermoelectricity in molecular tunnel junctions. Chemical Reviews, 125(5), 2953–3004. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00886
24. Fang, C., Li, Y., Wang, S., Liang, M., Yan, C., Liu, J., & Hong, W. (2025). Thermoelectric and thermal properties of molecular junctions: mechanisms, characterization methods and applications. Chemical Communications, 61(33), 4447–4464. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC06822J
25. Gonzalez-Casal, S., Jouclas, R., Arbouch, I., Geerts, Y., van Dyck, C., Cornil, J., & Vuillaume, D. (2024). Thermoelectric properties of benzothieno-benzothiophene self-assembled monolayers in molecular junctions [Preprint]. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2409.12596
26. Gonzalez-Casal, S., Jouclas, R., Arbouch, I., Geerts, Y., van Dyck, C., Cornil, J., & Vuillaume, D. (2025). Electronic and thermoelectric properties of molecular junctions incorporating organometallic complexes: Implications for thermoelectric energy conversion. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 8(28), 14261–14280. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.5c02362
27. Santos Almeida, J., Gonzalez Casal, S., Al Sabea, H., Barth, V., Mitra, G., Delmas, V., Guérin, D., Galangau, O., Tiwary, T., Roisnel, T., Dorcet, V., Norel, L., Van Dyck, C., Scheer, E., Vuillaume, D., Cornil, J., Rigaut, S., & Costuas, K. (2025). Electronic and thermoelectric properties of molecular junctions incorporating organometallic complexes: Implications for thermoelectric energy conversion. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 8(28), 14261–14280. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.5c02362
28. Jang, J., Jo, J. W., Ohto, T., & Yoon, H. J. (2024). Seebeck effect in molecular wires facilitating long-range transport. Journal of the American Chemical Society. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jacs.4c02753
29. Park, S., Jang, J., Tanaka, Y., & Yoon, H. J. (2022). High Seebeck coefficient achieved by multinuclear organometallic molecular junctions. Nano Letters, 22(23), 9693–9699. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c03974
30. Jia, S., Ma, H., Gao, S., Yang, L., & Sun, Q. (2024). Thermoelectric materials and devices for advanced biomedical applications. Small. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202405019
31. Baskaran, P., & Rajasekar, M. (2025). Recent progress in thermoelectric devices and applications. Chemical Engineering Journal, 506, 159929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.159929
32. Beretta, D., Neophytou, N., Hodges, J. M., Kanatzidis, M. G., Narducci, D., Martín-González, M. S., Beekman, M., Balke, B., Cerretti, G., Tremel, W., Zevalkink, A., Hofmann, A., Müller, C., Dörling, B., Campoy-Quiles, M., & Caironi, M. (2019). Thermoelectrics: From history, a window to the future. Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports, 138, 100501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mser.2018.09.0013.
33. Choi, Y., Kim, J. Y., Kang, B. C., & Kim, H. (2025). Perspectives on hydrogel-based ionic thermoelectrics: From mechanistic insights to wearable applications of thermo-diffusive ionic materials. Energy Materials, 5, 500106. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2025.50
34. Xin, J., Jiang, Y., Chen, J., Sullivan, J., & Li, J. (2021). Inorganic thermoelectric fibers: A review of materials, fabrication methods, and applications. Sensors, 21(10), 3437. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21103437.
35. Hu, B., Li, J., Jiang, Y., Xin, J., & Li, J. (2022). Thermoelectrics for medical applications: Progress, challenges, and perspectives. Chemical Engineering Journal, 437, 135268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.135268
36. Kwon, C., Myoung, J., Tyagi, K., Kim, S. J., Ko, Y., Choi, J., & Cho, S. P. (2024). Stretchable Ag2Se thermoelectric fabric with simple and nonthermal fabrication for wearable electronics. Small Science, 4(11), 2400230. https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400230
37. Ma, H., Jia, S., Gao, S., Yang, L., & Sun, Q. (2024). Flexible Ag2Se thermoelectric films enable the multifunctional thermal perception in electronic skins. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16(6), 7453–7462. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c16645
38. Rao, Y., Huang, L., Yan, Y., & Zhang, K. (2024). Fabrication and characterization of a thermoelectric generator with high aspect ratio thermolegs for electrically active implants. Advanced Materials Technologies, 9(1), 2301157. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202301157
39. Kobylianskyi, R., Vikhor, L., Fedoriv, R., & Izvak, Y. (2024). Design of a multi-stage thermoelectric cooler for a human heart ablation device. Journal of Thermoelectricity, (4), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.63527/1607-8829-2024-4-5-13
40. Singh, S., & Melnik, R. (2020). Thermal ablation of biological tissues in disease treatment: A review of computational models and future directions. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 39(2), 49–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368378.2020.1741383
41. Kobylianskyi, R., Ivashchuk, O., Bodiaka, V., & Fedoriv, R. (2025). Computer optimization of the working tool for a thermoelectric cryodestruction device. Journal of Thermoelectricity, (1), 81–100. https://doi.org/10.63527/1607-8829-2025-1-81-100
42. Kobylianskyi, R., Lysko, V., Fedoriv, R., Ivashchuk, O., Bodiaka, V., & Malyshevskyi, I. (2025). Computer simulation of cyclic temperature effect on biological tissue during the destruction of oncologic tumors. Journal of Thermoelectricity, (2), 85–96.
43. Kobylianskyi, R. R., Prybyla, A. V., Konstantynovych, I. A., & Boychuk, V. V. (2022). Results of experimental research on thermoelectric medical heat flow sensors. Journal of Thermoelectricity, (3-4), 68–81. https://doi.org/10.63527/1607-8829-2022-3-4-68-81
44. Min, Yang & Li, Chang & Zhang, Y B & Wang, Yaogang & Li, Benkai & Dongzhou, Jia & Hou, Yali & Li, Runze. (2017). Research on microscale skull grinding temperature field under different cooling conditions.Applied Thermal Engineering. 126. 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.07.183
45. Ganesan, V. V., Enam, S. F., & Jain, A. (2026). Thermal characterization of microwires for hypothermia-based glioblastoma treatment. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 220, 110246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2025.110246
46. Hong, J. M., Choi, E. S., & Park, S. Y. (2022). Selective brain cooling: A new horizon of neuroprotection. Frontiers in Neurology, 13, 873165. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.873165
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

