Efficient Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7 thermoelectrics demonstrated for recovering heat of about 600 K

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In-situ reactive synthesis of dense nanostructured β-FeSi2 by Spark Plasma Sintering

Contact electrodes and their adequate joining are the main bottlenecks in realizing low-cost Mg2(Si,Sn) thermoelectric materials for thermoelectric generator applications. The resistance and diffusion chemistry between the thermoelectric elements and contact electrodes play an essential role in achieving high-performance thermoelectric generators for intermediate-temperature applications. A facile single-step spark plasma sintering process was employed to fabricate Sb-doped Mg2Si0.9Sn0.1 and contact joining simultaneously. The single-step-processed thermoelectric element’s power output characteristics with three different contacts (Ni, MnSi, and FeSi2) were investigated by employing a thermoelectric conversion efficiency evaluation system. Our experimental strategy demonstrated that the single-step processing of Mg2(Si0.9Sn0.1)0.95Sb0.05/Ni joining imparts the lowest internal resistance and high-power output characteristics and eliminates the main obstacle of Mg2(Si,Sn) material integration in thermoelectric power generators. 

High-Performance Functionalized Mg2Si0.9Sn0.1 Thermoelectric Leg Synthesis by a Single-Step Reactive SPS Process

Investigation of the mechanical properties of MnSi via EBSD-nanoindentation coupling and ab-initio calculation

Heat recovery systems based on thermoelectric micro-generators (µ-TEGs) can play a significant role in the development of wireless, energetically autonomous electronics. However, to date, the power density recovered for low temperature differences using µ-TEGs is limited to a few micro-watts or less, which is still insufficient to power a wide-range of wireless devices. To develop more efficient µ-TEGs, material, device and system requirements must be considered simultaneously. In this study, an innovative design of an in-plane µ-TEG integrating bismuth telluride forming sinusoidal-shaped trenches is reported. Using 3D numerical modelling, the influence of boundary conditions, parasitic effects (electrical and thermal contact resistances), and transport properties of thermoelectric materials on the output power of these µ-TEGs are investigated in detail for a small temperature difference of 5 K between the hot and cold sources. Compared to wavy-shaped trenches, this novel shape enables enhancing the output power. The results show that either the thermal conductivity or the Seebeck coefficient of the active n- and p-type semiconductors is the key parameter that should be minimized or maximized, depending on the magnitude of the parasitic effects.

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Hilaire Ihou Mouko

Papers

Manufacturing and performances of silicide-based thermoelectric modules