Electric Power Generation at Low Temperature Gradients

Abstract

The thermoelectric (TE) efficiency of ion-conductive materials is investigated for energy harvesting from heat wastes or wide-spectrum solar radiation. The physical model for the phenomenon has been developed, and experimental results are analyzed here in terms of practical implementation with power conversion at near ambient temperatures. This analysis addresses TE efficiency, power conversion efficiency, and options for practical implementation. Experiments demonstrated that the relatively high TE voltage generation coefficient in excess of 6 mV/K is achievable, although the output power is rather limited.

Flexible thermoelectric generators with inkjet-printed bismuth telluride nanowires and liquid metal contacts

“…These results are most likely due to the increase in grain size of the printed BST that occurred with increasing temperature which has shown to occur according to previous reports. 28 Consequently, the printed BT100 NW films displayed the highest P.F. value of 1.1 * 10 -4 W m -1 K -2 at 400 K. Moreover it is also likely that the high P.F.…”

“…Typically, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have been utilized in large scale applications where temperature gradients are high, such as space probes 26 and engine exhaust pipes 27 . These high temperature grade applications typically use metal oxide thermoelectric materials that are not efficient for use in low-grade heat sources (temperatures sources < 120ºC 28 ; e.g., body, home applications, and mobile devices) where temperature gradients are small. 29 Recently, researchers have developed thermoelectric materials (e.g., bismuth telluride, antimony telluride, and bismuth antimony telluride) that experience increased efficiencies with relatively high ZT values (the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT is defined as S 2 T/k where  is electrical conductivity, S is Seebeck coefficient, T is the average temperature between the hot side and cold side, and k is thermal conductivity) with a range from 0.5 to 1.5 at low-grade temperatures [30][31][32][33][34] .…”

Baterai Air Laut Sebagai Sumber Energi Listrik Untuk Pemukiman Pesisir Dan Budidaya Perikanan

“…Teknologi pemanfaatan atau pemanen energi saat ini semakin mendapatkan perhatian untuk energi bersih dan berkelanjutan, terutama untuk aplikasi seperti internet, perangkat seluler, implan biomedis dan jaringan sensor nirkabel [12]. Dibandingkan dengan sistem energi terbarukan yang menggunakan energi skala besar seperti energi matahari, angin, pasang surut, dan geo-termal, teknologi pemanenan energi mengekstraksi secara signifikan daya dan energi kecil dari sumber-sumber sekitar yang sebagian besar telah terbuang seperti, energi panas tingkat rendah dari panas yang terbuang [13], energi mekanik dari getaran struktural [14], energi magnetik dari gelombang frekuensi radio [15] atau saluran transmisi AC [16], energi elektrostatik dari kapasitor yang tergantung getaran [17], energi cahaya dari komunikasi cahaya tampak [18] dan energi kimia dari air limbah. Upaya memanfaatkan energi yang dipanen dari sumber sekitar menjadi lebih dimungkinkan karena perangkat elektrik portabel dan sensor-sensor saat ini kebanyakan dirancang hanya membutuhkan arus listrik yang rendah.…”