A miniaturized mW thermoelectric generator for nw objectives: continuous, autonomous, reliable power for decades.
We have built and tested a miniaturized, thermoelectric power source that can provide in excess of 450 {micro}W of power in a system size of 4.3cc, for a power density of 107 {micro}W/cc, which is denser than any system of this size previously reported. The system operates on 150mW of thermal input, which for this system was simulated with a resistive heater, but in application would be provided by a 0.4g source of {sup 238}Pu located at the center of the device. Output power from this device, while optimized for efficiency, was not optimized for form of the power output, and so the maximum power was delivered at only 41mV. An upconverter to 2.7V was developed concurrently with the power source to bring the voltage up to a usable level for microelectronics.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 899375
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2006-6956
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Direct Power Generators.
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POWER
Electric power production.
Electric power.
MICROELECTRONICS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER DENSITY
Power resources.
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
Thermoelectric apparatus and appliances.