High Power Density Thermoelectric Generators with Skutterudites. Issue 19 (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Oualid, Soufiane; Kogut, Iurii; Benyahia, Mohamed; Geczi, Eugen; Kruck, Uwe; Kosior, Francis; Masschelein, Philippe; Candolfi, Christophe; Dauscher, Anne; Koenig, Jan Dieter; Jacquot, Alexandre; Caillat, Thierry; Alleno, Eric; Lenoir, Bertrand
• Is Part Of: Advanced energy materials. Volume 11:Issue 19(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: power generation -- skutterudite -- thermoelectric -- thermoelectric modules; Energy harvesting -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Materials -- Periodicals; Photovoltaics -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Thermoelectric materials -- Periodicals; 621.31
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202100580
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1614-6832

Abstract

Abstract: Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer a versatile solution to convert low‐grade heat into useful electrical power. While reducing the length of the active thermoelectric legs provides an efficient strategy to increase the maximum output power density p max, both the high electrical contact resistances and thermomechanical stresses are two central issues that have so far prevented a strong reduction in the volume of thermoelectric materials integrated. Here, it is demonstrated that these barriers can be lifted by using a nonconventional architecture of the legs which involves inserting thick metallic layers. Using skutterudites as a proof‐of‐principle, several single‐couple and multi‐couple TEGs with skutterudite layers of only 1 mm are fabricated, yielding record p max ranging from 3.4 up to 7.6 W cm −2 under temperature differences varying between 450 and 630 K. The highest p max achieved corresponds to a 60‐fold increase per unit volume of skutterudites compared to 1 cm long legs. This work establishes thick metallic layers as a robust strategy through which high power density TEGs may be developed. Abstract : An innovative approach for designing high‐power‐density thermoelectric generators is presented. Inserting metallic composite layers in the thermoelectric legs enables a drastic decrease in their length, yielding record‐breaking power densities for skutterudite‐based generators. This novel design may allow for a strong reduction of the volume of thermoelectric materials integrated while concomitantly achieving higher power density.