TY - GEN
T1 - Compatibility of segmented thermoelectric generators
AU - Ursell, T. S.
AU - Snyder, G. J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2002 IEEE.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - It is well known that power generation efficiency improves when materials with appropriate properties are combined either in a cascaded or segmented fashion across a temperature gradient. Past methods for determining materials used in segmentation were mainly concerned with materials that have the highest figure of merit in the temperature range1,2. However, the example of SiGe segmented with Bi2Te3 and/or various skutterudites shows a marked decline in device efficiency even though SiGe has the highest figure of merit in the temperature range. The origin of the incompatibility of SiGe with other thermoelectric materials leads to a general definition of compatibility and intrinsic efficiency. The compatibility factor derived as s = (√l + ZT -1) / dt is a function of only intrinsic material properties and temperature, which is represented by a ratio of current to conduction heat. For maximum efficiency the compatibility factor should not change much with temperature both within a single material, and in the segmented leg as a whole. This leads to a measure of compatibility not only between segments, but also within a segment. General temperature trends show that materials are more self compatible at higher temperatures, and segmentation is more difficult across a larger δT. The compatibility factor can be used as a quantitative guide for deciding whether a material is better suited for segmentation or cascading. Analysis of compatibility factors and intrinsic efficiency for optimal segmentation are discussed, with intent to predict optimal material properties, temperature interfaces, and/or current/heat ratios.
AB - It is well known that power generation efficiency improves when materials with appropriate properties are combined either in a cascaded or segmented fashion across a temperature gradient. Past methods for determining materials used in segmentation were mainly concerned with materials that have the highest figure of merit in the temperature range1,2. However, the example of SiGe segmented with Bi2Te3 and/or various skutterudites shows a marked decline in device efficiency even though SiGe has the highest figure of merit in the temperature range. The origin of the incompatibility of SiGe with other thermoelectric materials leads to a general definition of compatibility and intrinsic efficiency. The compatibility factor derived as s = (√l + ZT -1) / dt is a function of only intrinsic material properties and temperature, which is represented by a ratio of current to conduction heat. For maximum efficiency the compatibility factor should not change much with temperature both within a single material, and in the segmented leg as a whole. This leads to a measure of compatibility not only between segments, but also within a segment. General temperature trends show that materials are more self compatible at higher temperatures, and segmentation is more difficult across a larger δT. The compatibility factor can be used as a quantitative guide for deciding whether a material is better suited for segmentation or cascading. Analysis of compatibility factors and intrinsic efficiency for optimal segmentation are discussed, with intent to predict optimal material properties, temperature interfaces, and/or current/heat ratios.
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U2 - 10.1109/ICT.2002.1190349
DO - 10.1109/ICT.2002.1190349
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84949815834
T3 - International Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT, Proceedings
SP - 412
EP - 417
BT - Proceedings ICT 2002
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
T2 - 21st International Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT 2002
Y2 - 25 August 2002 through 29 August 2002
ER -