General Principles and Basic Considerations

Three Dimensional TCAD Simulation of a Thermoelectric Module Suitable for Use in a Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting System

“…Increasing the thermal gradient on both sides of the device, by increasing the temperature of the thermal contacts at Copper 1, Copper 4 and Copper 6, results in an increase in electrical power generated at the load, as shown in Figure 12. This is as expected as the Seebeck effect is temperature dependent, and the electrical power generated by a thermoelectric module is related to the temperature gradient between two sides of the device [2]. The lattice temperature of the thermoelectric module, with an applied 100 Kelvin temperature gradient between both sides of the device, is shown in Figure 13 and demonstrates that the temperature gradient within each individual thermoelectric P-type and N-type pellet, is now significantly higher than was obtained with a much lower temperature gradient of 1 Kelvin applied to the device in Figure 9 [8].…”

“…Practical thermoelectric devices emerged in the 1960's and have developed significantly since then with a number of manufacturers now marketing thermoelectric modules for power generation, heating and cooling applications [2]. Ongoing research and advances in thermoelectric materials and manufacturing techniques, enables the technology to make an increasing contribution to address the growing requirement for low power energy sources typically used in energy harvesting and scavenging systems [3].…”

“…Commercial thermoelectric modules can be used to generate a small amount of electrical power, typically in the mW or μW range, if a temperature difference is maintained between two terminals of a thermoelectric module. Alternatively, a thermoelectric module can operate as a heat pump, providing heating or cooling of an object connected to one side of a thermoelectric module if a DC current is applied to the module's input terminals [2].…”

“…Practical thermoelectric modules are constructed with several of these thermoelectric couples connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel. Standard thermoelectric modules typically contain a minimum of three couples, rising to one hundred and twenty seven couples for larger devices [2]. A schematic diagram of a single thermoelectric couple connected for thermoelectric power generation, and a side view of a thermoelectric module is shown in Figure 1.…”

Electrodeposition of Ni on Bi2Te3 and Interfacial Reaction Between Sn and Ni-Coated Bi2Te3

“…[1][2][3] The TE materials can be classified into several groups depending upon the application temperature. Bismuth-telluride (Bi 2 Te 3 )-based compounds belong to the group of low-temperature TE materials because of their application temperature around 200°C.…”