TY - JOUR
T1 - Iso efficiency in nanostructured thermoelectric materials
AU - Olivares-Robles, Miguel Angel
AU - Badillo-Ruiz, Carlos Alberto
AU - Ruiz-Ortega, Pablo Eduardo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2022/8/15
Y1 - 2022/8/15
N2 - A study is carried out for the efficiency of segmented thermoelectric microgenerators (μSTEGs). The study includes a) n-type and p-type double or triple segmentation and b) geometry shape factor of the thermoelements. The temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties of nanostructured materials are determined from experimental data. In addition, the impact of internal resistance, as a function of the thermoelement-geometric shape factor, on the efficiency surfaces of the μSTEGs is studied based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Results show that the efficiency surfaces of different μSTEGs intersect under different working conditions. The curve formed by the intersection points of the efficiency surfaces of the two thermoelectric systems is called the iso-efficiency curve. Thus, segmented thermoelectric systems with different efficiencies can reach a common efficiency for a given segmentation and geometric shape form of their thermoelements under different working conditions. The common efficiency that reaches (corresponds to) these thermoelectric systems is called Iso efficiency. The iso efficiency is reached due to the n-type and p-type material segmentation and geometric shape, which affect each thermoelement's internal resistance. Furthermore, the efficiency of a μSTEG system can be improved due to the combination of effects such as the relationship between load resistance and internal resistance when it is affected by the geometric shape, temperature difference, and segmentation. Our results allow determinate the new iso efficiency parameters with a good selection of the thermodynamic, electrical, and geometric parameters and establish guidance for other materials engineering investigations, to improve the efficiency of μSTEGs.
AB - A study is carried out for the efficiency of segmented thermoelectric microgenerators (μSTEGs). The study includes a) n-type and p-type double or triple segmentation and b) geometry shape factor of the thermoelements. The temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties of nanostructured materials are determined from experimental data. In addition, the impact of internal resistance, as a function of the thermoelement-geometric shape factor, on the efficiency surfaces of the μSTEGs is studied based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Results show that the efficiency surfaces of different μSTEGs intersect under different working conditions. The curve formed by the intersection points of the efficiency surfaces of the two thermoelectric systems is called the iso-efficiency curve. Thus, segmented thermoelectric systems with different efficiencies can reach a common efficiency for a given segmentation and geometric shape form of their thermoelements under different working conditions. The common efficiency that reaches (corresponds to) these thermoelectric systems is called Iso efficiency. The iso efficiency is reached due to the n-type and p-type material segmentation and geometric shape, which affect each thermoelement's internal resistance. Furthermore, the efficiency of a μSTEG system can be improved due to the combination of effects such as the relationship between load resistance and internal resistance when it is affected by the geometric shape, temperature difference, and segmentation. Our results allow determinate the new iso efficiency parameters with a good selection of the thermodynamic, electrical, and geometric parameters and establish guidance for other materials engineering investigations, to improve the efficiency of μSTEGs.
KW - Iso efficiency
KW - Micro-generator
KW - Nanostructured materials
KW - Thermoelectric energy conversion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85132424549&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115857
DO - 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115857
M3 - Artículo
AN - SCOPUS:85132424549
SN - 0196-8904
VL - 266
JO - Energy Conversion and Management
JF - Energy Conversion and Management
M1 - 115857
ER -