Silicon nanowire networks for multi-stage thermoelectric modules

Abstract. We report the performance of a T-shaped, plate-type thermoelectric power generator (TPG). The plate-type TPG has been proposed by the authors. A new design of the plate-type TPG realized the higher power density together with the higher power at a small temperature difference. For example, the maximum power of the T-shaped, plate-type TPG was 11.1 W m 3 at the temperature difference of 40 K, and this value was over 2 times greater than that of the previous TPG. IntroductionAmong the power generation technologies utilizing the renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, vibration, etc., thermoelectric power generation has been attracted considerable attentions recently because our daily lives are full of waste heat. Seebeck effect is a phenomenon, which convert heat into electricity, can be explained simply by considering an electrical circuit comprising bi-metal wires. If there is a temperature gradient T between two bi-metal junctions, a thermoelectromotive force, V, appears in the circuit and this is given by V = S T, where S (=  1   2 ) is the Seebeck coefficient of the circuit, and  1 and  2 are the absolute thermoelectric powers of each wire metal.Although the thermoelectric power generators (TPGs) composed of Bi, Te or its related alloys realize greater V [1, 2], such rare metals are the limited resources. Moreover, TPGs composed of Bi, Te or its related alloys have relatively higher internal resistance, which increases the power consumed in the circuit. To realize the efficient power generation from a small T without using such rare metals, a platetype TPG, which is composed of an Fe plate and an Al layer, has been proposed by the authors [3].In this paper, a T-shaped, plate-type TPG, which was also composed of Fe and Al, was designed for realizing the higher power density at a small temperature differences. The volume of the T-shaped TPG was 1 / 4 compared with the previous one, and the power densities of the T-shaped TPG measured at the temperature difference of 20 to 60 K were over 2 time greater than that of the previous one.

show abstract

“…, and this value is much greater than those of the previously reported TPGs without composed of Bi, Te or its related alloys [5,6].…”

Section: 1contrasting

confidence: 45%

A T-shaped, plate-type thermoelectric power generator for realizing the higher power density at a small temperature difference

Tohmyoh

Daimon

Ohgi

2018

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The low temperature, medium temperature and high temperature zones were made of Bi 2 Te 3 , Zn 4 Sb 3 and CeFe 4 Sb 12 , respectively. Norris et al [71] studied the performance of segmented TEG made of nanoscale silicon. In the U.S. space program, the isotope fuel cell was made of segmented TE modules, which was formed by the high temperature TE material of SiGe and the low temperature TE materials [72] so that each TE material operated at its optimum temperature range.…”

Section: Radial and Flow-directional Segmented Enhancement Technologimentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on thermoelectric-hydraulic performance and heat transfer enhancement technologies of thermoelectric power generator system

et al. 2018

THERM SCI

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The thermoelectric material is considered to a good choice to recycle the waste heat in the power and energy systems because the thermoelectric material is a solid-state energy converter which can directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy, especially suitable for high temperature power and energy systems due to the large temperature difference. However, the figure of merit of thermoelectric material is very low, and the thermoelectric power of generator system is even lower. This work reviews the recent progress on the thermoelectric power generator system from the view of heat transfer, including the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation on thermoelectric-hydraulic performance, conventional heat transfer enhancement technologies, radial and flow-directional segmented enhancement technologies for the thermoelectric power generator system. Review ends with the discussion of the future research directions of numerical simulation methods and heat transfer enhancement technologies used for the thermoelectric power generator in high temperature power and energy systems.

show abstract

“…The design of the thermal generators makes the output adjustable by extending the length of the silicon nanowires. Norris et al fabricated vertically scalable thermoelectric modules based on a flexible silicon‐nanowire network. An open‐circuit voltage, short‐circuit current, and output power of 6.2 mV, 30 μA, and 4.7 nW, respectively, were achieved under the temperature difference of 70 K. Dávila et al grew an electrically connected dense array of aligned and size‐controlled silicon nanowires by the vapor–liquid–solid growth method and fabricated them into thermoelectric microgenerators.…”

Section: Nanostructured Silicon For Thermoelectric Generatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanostructured Silicon Used for Flexible and Mobile Electricity Generation

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of nanostructured silicon for the generation of electricity in flexible and mobile devices is reviewed. This field has attracted widespread interest in recent years due to the emergence of plastic electronics. Such developments are likely to alter the nature of power sources in the near future. For example, flexible photovoltaic cells can supply electricity to rugged and collapsible electronics, biomedical devices, and conformable solar panels that are integrated with the curved surfaces of vehicles or buildings. Here, the unique optical and electrical properties of nanostructured silicon are examined, with regard to how they can be exploited in flexible photovoltaics, thermoelectric generators, and piezoelectric devices, which serve as power generators. Particular emphasis is placed on organic-silicon heterojunction photovoltaic devices, silicon-nanowire-based thermoelectric generators, and core-shell silicon/silicon oxide nanowire-based piezoelectric devices, because they are flexible, lightweight, and portable.

show abstract

Silicon nanowire networks for multi-stage thermoelectric modules

Cited by 27 publications

References 30 publications

A T-shaped, plate-type thermoelectric power generator for realizing the higher power density at a small temperature difference

A T-shaped, plate-type thermoelectric power generator for realizing the higher power density at a small temperature difference

A review on thermoelectric-hydraulic performance and heat transfer enhancement technologies of thermoelectric power generator system

Nanostructured Silicon Used for Flexible and Mobile Electricity Generation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About