Development of a high efficiency thermoelectric unicouple for power generation applications

摘要: To achieve high thermal-to-electric energy conversion efficiency, it is desirable to operate thermoelectric generator devices over large temperature gradients and also maximize the performance of materials used build devices. However, no single material suitable for use a very wide range temperatures (/spl sim/300-1000 K). It therefore necessary different in each where they possess optimum performance. This can be achieved two ways: (1) multistage generators stage operates fixed difference electrically insulated but thermally contact with other stages; (2) segmented p- n-legs are formed segments joined series. The concept integrating new into unicouple has been introduced earlier publications. expected 300-973 K will novel legs based on combination state-of-the-art p-type Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/, CeFeSb/sub 12/-based alloys n-type CoSb/sub 3/-based alloys. A efficiency about 15% predicted this unicouple. We present latest experimental results from fabrication unicouple, including bonding studies between p-legs, n-legs, p-leg n-leg interconnect. Thermal electrical tests progress briefly described.