Transient response of a thermoelectric generator subjected to spatially non-uniform heating: Implications for heat and IR sensing applications

Blandino, Joseph R.; Lawrence, D. J.

doi:10.1016/j.measurement.2015.11.020

Cited by 12 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…Hodes et al [20] proposed a method for optimising the number of thermoelectric legs to obtain maximum output power or conversion efficiency. Karana et al [21] conducted numerical and experimental studies of thermoelectric generators with asymmetric thermoelectric legs and proved the impact of the performance of the TEG on the improvement [22]. In the case of series thermoelectric structures, damage to a single thermoelectric leg can lead to the failure of the entire device, and the internal resistance of the thermoelectric component is severe [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Forked-Finger Electrode-Structured Thermoelectric Module with High Output Power

Zhang

et al. 2022

Energies

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Thermoelectric harvesting technology is a clean and friendly energy-conversion technology. In the π-type traditional thermoelectric module (TEM), n- and p-type thermoelectric legs are electrically connected in a series to generate large temperature differences in the heat flow direction and to achieve a better module performance. However, damages to one thermoelectric leg could lead to the failure of the thermoelectric system. This work proposes a novel forked-finger electrode-structured thermoelectric module (FFTEM), which enables a simultaneous parallel electrical connection and thermal transfer in a homogeneous material’s thermoelectric leg set. The four thermoelectric legs share a common pair of electrodes, and this parallel structure makes the FFTEM benefit from low internal resistance, a high operating current, and high output power. The internal resistance and output power of the TEM are 4.25 mΩ and 1.766 mW, respectively, at a temperature difference of 40 °C. The internal resistance of the FFTEM is reduced to 0.81 mΩ, and the output power is increased to 13.81 mW. The FFTEM’s maximum output power achieved under temperature-dependent conditions is nine times that of the TEM’s output power. This FFTEM design provides a configuration to obtain a much higher output power, which could benefit future applications of thermoelectric devices.

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