The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Thermoelectric devices are promising for waste-heat recovery, yet conventional modules based on rigidly soldered inorganic legs are brittle and difficult to repair or reconfigure after fabrication. Although flexible or stretchable polymer components have been introduced to improve mechanical compliance, such integrated structures remain non-adaptive and hard to restore once damaged. Here, we propose a modular thermoelectric Lego block concept that enables on-demand repair and reconfiguration. Each block functions as an independent unit integrating a PDMS-based self-healing silver-flake composite electrode with 3D-printed BiSbTe and BiTeSe thermoelectric legs. The assembled devices maintain stable performance under bending, stretching, and even after cutting and reassembly, with no observable power degradation after repeated reconfiguration. This Lego-like approach provides a versatile thermoelectric platform combining flexibility, reparability, and reconfigurability.