State of the art and future prospects for TEG-PCM Systems: A review

Fabrication of Thin TEG (Bi-Ni) Using Magnetron Sputtering Technology and Investigations

“…One of the ways to convert the generated heat into electricity is the use of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) [1,2]. These devices can be used not only to convert excess heat into electricity, but also as renewable energy sources [3][4][5][6]. TEGs are used in a variety of applications for electricity generation, including powering space probes such as the Mars Curiosity rover.…”

“…Due to this voltage, a potential difference is obtained. The operation of these devices is based on the principle of the Seebeck effect [1][2][3]. The efficiency of TEG devices is low and reaches up to 10%, but these are relatively simple devices that serve for a long time and do not require frequent maintenance [1].…”

“…In addition, these devices operate without noise, while producing electricity, and do not emit any harmful substances into the environment. TEG devices can also be made from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, gallium arsenide, or others [1][2][3][4]. However, making TEGs from semiconductors is more expensive than making them from metals because semiconductors require doping to make them P-or N-type semiconductors.…”

“…In order to improve the efficiency of TEGs, scientists use various combinations of materials and nanoparticles for their formation, in such a way that the heat flow is slowed down without hindering the free flow of electrical particles. Materials such as bismuth telluride (Bi 2 Te 3 ), lead telluride (PbTe) and others are often used in TEG production [2,3]. One of the main parameters defining the suitability of a material for TEG production is the Seebeck coefficient, whose expression is as follows: S = ∆V/∆T, where ∆V is the potential difference between different heated and cooled metal ends, and ∆T is the temperature difference between these different metals [1,2,[15][16][17][18].…”

“…One of the main parameters defining the suitability of a material for TEG production is the Seebeck coefficient, whose expression is as follows: S = ∆V/∆T, where ∆V is the potential difference between different heated and cooled metal ends, and ∆T is the temperature difference between these different metals [1,2,[15][16][17][18]. Another important factor that must be taken into account when manufacturing TEGs is thermal expansion and plasticity, since at different temperatures, materials expand unequally, and various micro-strains and lattice defects are formed [1][2][3][4]. In the case of insufficient plasticity and temperature changes, the produced TEG may lose its operational properties faster [2,[19][20][21][22].…”