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Power density optimization for micro thermoelectric generators

Author

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  • Dunham, Marc T.
  • Barako, Michael T.
  • LeBlanc, Saniya
  • Asheghi, Mehdi
  • Chen, Baoxing
  • Goodson, Kenneth E.

Abstract

Microfabricated thermoelectric generators (μTEGs) can harvest modest temperature differences to provide reliable solid-state electricity for low-power electronics, sensors in distributed networks, and biomedical devices. While past work on μTEGs has focused on fabrication and demonstration, here we derive and explore comprehensive design guidelines for optimizing power output. A new closed-form thermoelectric device model agrees well with the traditional iterative approach. When thermoelectric leg length is limited by thin-film fabrication techniques, a very low (<10%) active thermoelectric fill fraction is required to optimize device power output, requiring careful selection of filler material. Parasitic resistance due to electrical interconnects is significant when a small number of thermocouples is used, and this loss can be reduced by increasing the number of thermocouples while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the legs to maintain the same fill fraction. Finally, a discussion of the “incompleteness of ZT” shows that different combinations of thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient resulting in the same ZT will result in different device performance and optimization decisions. For μTEGs, we show it is best to increase Seebeck coefficient, followed by decreasing thermal conductivity for short leg lengths and increasing electrical conductivity for long leg lengths.

Suggested Citation

  • Dunham, Marc T. & Barako, Michael T. & LeBlanc, Saniya & Asheghi, Mehdi & Chen, Baoxing & Goodson, Kenneth E., 2015. "Power density optimization for micro thermoelectric generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 2006-2017.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:93:y:2015:i:p2:p:2006-2017
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.10.032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Chien-Chang & Hung, Chen-I & Chen, Wei-Hsin, 2012. "Design of heat sink for improving the performance of thermoelectric generator using two-stage optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 236-245.
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    2. Amit Tanwar & Swatchith Lal & Kafil M. Razeeb, 2021. "Structural Design Optimization of Micro-Thermoelectric Generator for Wearable Biomedical Devices," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Su, Ning & Zhu, Pengfei & Pan, Yuhui & Li, Fu & Li, Bo, 2020. "3D-printing of shape-controllable thermoelectric devices with enhanced output performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    4. Ssennoga Twaha & Jie Zhu & Luqman Maraaba & Kuo Huang & Bo Li & Yuying Yan, 2017. "Maximum Power Point Tracking Control of a Thermoelectric Generation System Using the Extremum Seeking Control Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Siddique, Abu Raihan Mohammad & Rabari, Ronil & Mahmud, Shohel & Heyst, Bill Van, 2016. "Thermal energy harvesting from the human body using flexible thermoelectric generator (FTEG) fabricated by a dispenser printing technique," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 1081-1091.
    6. Mirhosseini, Mojtaba & Rezania, Alireza & Rosendahl, Lasse, 2019. "Harvesting waste heat from cement kiln shell by thermoelectric system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 358-369.
    7. Nozariasbmarz, Amin & Collins, Henry & Dsouza, Kelvin & Polash, Mobarak Hossain & Hosseini, Mahshid & Hyland, Melissa & Liu, Jie & Malhotra, Abhishek & Ortiz, Francisco Matos & Mohaddes, Farzad & Rame, 2020. "Review of wearable thermoelectric energy harvesting: From body temperature to electronic systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    8. Da, Yun & Xuan, Yimin & Li, Qiang, 2016. "From light trapping to solar energy utilization: A novel photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid system to fully utilize solar spectrum," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 200-210.
    9. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli, 2020. "Review of thermoelectric geometry and structure optimization for performance enhancement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    10. Karami Rad, Meysam & Rezania, Alireza & Omid, Mahmoud & Rajabipour, Ali & Rosendahl, Lasse, 2019. "Study on material properties effect for maximization of thermoelectric power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 236-242.
    11. Zuo, Wei & E, Jiaqiang & Hu, Wenyu & Jin, Yu & Han, Dandan, 2017. "Numerical investigations on combustion characteristics of H2/air premixed combustion in a micro elliptical tube combustor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 1-12.
    12. E, Jiaqiang & Luo, Bo & Han, Dandan & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Ding, Jiangjun, 2022. "A comprehensive review on performance improvement of micro energy mechanical system: Heat transfer, micro combustion and energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    13. Mohammad Siddique, Abu Raihan & Mahmud, Shohel & Van Heyst, Bill, 2020. "Performance comparison between rectangular and trapezoidal-shaped thermoelectric legs manufactured by a dispenser printing technique," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).

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