• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.119-126
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• 2019

A flexible thermoelectric module, which consisted of 18 pairs of Bi₂Te₃-based hot-pressed p-n thermoelectric legs, were processed by filling the module inside with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and removing the top and bottom substrates. Its power generation properties and bending characteristics were measured. With putting the flexible module on the wrist, an open circuit voltage of 2.23 mV and a maximum output power of 1.69 ㎼ were generated during staying still. On the other hand, an open circuit voltage of 3.32 mV and a maximum output power of 3.41 ㎼ were obtained with walking motion. The resistance variation of the module was kept below 1% even after applying 30,000 bending cycles with a bending curvature radius of 25 mm.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.149-156
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• 2019

A stretchable thermoelectric module consisting of 5 pairs of Bi₂Te₃-based hot-pressed p-n thermoelectric legs was processed by filling the module inside with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and removing the top and bottom substrates. Its stretchable characteristics and power generation properties were measured. The integrity of the module was kept well even after 10 strain cycles ranging from 0 to 0.1. With increasing the tensile strain to 0.2, the module circuitry became open because of joint failure between Cu electrodes and thermoelectric legs. The stretchable thermoelectric module exhibited an open circuit voltage of 4.6 mV with a temperature difference of 2.2K across both ends of thermoelectric legs, and changes in its open circuit voltage were below 5% for tensile strains of 0~0.1. Being elongated for a strain of 0.1, it exhibited the maximum output power of 18.5 ㎼ with the temperature difference of 2.2K across its both ends.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2018

Thermoelectric thin film modules were fabricated by electroplating p-type $Sb_2Te_3$and n-type $Bi_2Te_3$ thin film legs with the same thickness of $20{\mu}m$ and different diameters of $100{\mu}m$, $300{\mu}m$, and $500{\mu}m$, respectively. The output voltage and output power of thin film modules were measured and compared as a function of the leg diameter. The modules processed with thin film legs of $100{\mu}m$, $300{\mu}m$, and $500{\mu}m$-diameter exhibited open circuit voltages of 365 mV at ${\Delta}T=36.7K$, 142 mV at ${\Delta}T=37.5K$, and 53 mV at ${\Delta}T=36.1K$, respectively. Maximum output powers of $845{\mu}W$ at ${\Delta}T=36.7K$, $631{\mu}W$ at ${\Delta}T=37.5K$, and $276{\mu}W$ at ${\Delta}T=36.1K$ were obtained for the modules fabricated with the thin film legs of $100{\mu}m$, $300{\mu}m$, and $500{\mu}m$-diameter, respectively.

• Ceramist
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-145
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• 2019

Thermoelectric energy conversion has attracted much attention because it can convert heat into electric power directly through solid state device and vice versa. Current research is aimed at increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT ) by improving the power factor and reducing the thermal conductivity. Although there have been significant progresses in increasing ZT of material systems composed of Bi, Te, Ge, Pb, and etc. over the last few decades, their relatively high cost, toxicity, and the scarcity have hindered further development of thermoelectrics to expand practical applications. In this paper, we review the current status of research in the fields of nanostructured thermoelectric materials with eco-friendly and low cost elements, such as skutterudites and oxides, for mid-high temperature applications, highlighting the strategies to improve thermoelectric performance.