A local selection criterion for the composition of graded thermoelectric generators

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.366808· OSTI ID:565667

Schilz, J; Helmers, L; Mueller, W E; Niino, M ^[1]

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1. National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), Kakuda Research Center, Koganezawa 1, Kimigaya, Kakuda-City, Miyagi-Pref. 981-15 (Japan)

We present a procedure that locally determines the composition (from a given set of available materials) of a segmented or graded thermoelectric generator leg in order to maximize its output power to a matched load. The method is based on a new interpretation of the electrical output relation, which is organized to resemble a differential output power along the device coordinate. The procedure is applied to calculate the segment length and output power of a segmented bismuth-telluride/iron-disilicide based thermoelectric generator leg. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 565667
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 83, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1998
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION
BISMUTH COMPOUNDS
IRON COMPOUNDS
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS
OPTIMIZATION
BISMUTH TELLURIDES
IRON SILICIDES
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTRIC POWER
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems