U.S-based startup develops a graphene-based seat warming technology for cars

A U.S-based startup called Promethient Inc. has developed a new graphene-enhanced seat warmer technology that it says is more efficient and durable than similar available systems. The company has developed the Thermavance conductive heat transfer system, which uses conduction of heat as opposed to most of the other technologies that rely on transfer of heat through convection for the purpose of warming seats.

In the common case of convective seats, seats have to be perforated so that the air can be moved through the seating surface. This makes the surface of the seats more prone to damage from wear-and-tear and from water. In the Thermavance heat transfer system, however, Promethient uses a solid-state thermoelectric module and graphene in order to transfer heat directly to the occupant of the seat instead of first either heating or cooling the surrounding air.

Promethient says the thermos electric module uses the flow of electrons to create the Peltier Effect within a semiconductor. The system is very user friendly and can be activated by a smartphone app. Depending on the polarity of the applied voltage, it creates a heating or cooling effect. Promethient explaines that graphene can conduct heat to a higher extent than copper, and also offers the benefits of flexibility and light weight making it easy to adapt graphene for use on a variety of surfaces.

Promethient was set up in 2012, and has been dealing with the development of automotive applications for three years. The company’s new technology will first be used in an SUV which will be launched later in 2018.