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Electrically tunable thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials: Active and passive control

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  • Massaguer Colomer, Albert
  • Massaguer, Eduard
  • Pujol, Toni
  • Comamala, Martí
  • Montoro, Lino
  • González, J.R.

Abstract

Applications involving the use of thermoelectric materials can be found in many different areas ranging from thermocouple sensors, portable coolers, to solar power generators. Generally, they can be subdivided by the direction of energy conversion. While the Peltier effect is used in solid-state refrigeration, the Seebeck effect is responsible for the conversion of temperature gradients into electrical voltage in energy harvesting systems. However, this paper proposes a novel approach to the use of thermoelectric couples, treating them as variable insulators in thermal systems. Here, we demonstrate that thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials can be externally controlled by electrical parameters such as electrical load or DC voltage in passive and active systems, respectively. Active mode is a good solution when a complete insulation or a high control of thermal conductivity is needed. Passive mode permits a thermal conductivity increment of 1+ZTtimes with respect to semiconductor initial thermal conductivity. Results open new doors and new opportunities for thermoelectric materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Massaguer Colomer, Albert & Massaguer, Eduard & Pujol, Toni & Comamala, Martí & Montoro, Lino & González, J.R., 2015. "Electrically tunable thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials: Active and passive control," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 709-717.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:154:y:2015:i:c:p:709-717
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.067
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Massaguer, Eduard & Massaguer, Albert & Montoro, Lino & Gonzalez, J.R., 2015. "Modeling analysis of longitudinal thermoelectric energy harvester in low temperature waste heat recovery applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 184-195.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Qinggong & Yao, Wei & Zhang, Hui & Lu, Xiaochen, 2018. "Analysis of the performance of an alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) based on a lumped thermal-electrochemical model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 195-211.
    2. Massaguer, A. & Massaguer, E. & Comamala, M. & Pujol, T. & González, J.R. & Cardenas, M.D. & Carbonell, D. & Bueno, A.J., 2018. "A method to assess the fuel economy of automotive thermoelectric generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 42-58.
    3. Massaguer, Albert & Massaguer, Eduard, 2021. "Faster and more accurate simulations of thermoelectric generators through the prediction of the optimum load resistance for maximum power and efficiency points," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    4. Lv, Hao & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Meng, Jing-Hui & Wang, Tian-Hu & Yan, Wei-Mon, 2016. "Enhancement of maximum temperature drop across thermoelectric cooler through two-stage design and transient supercooling effect," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 285-292.

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