Patent ID: 7601909
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A power generation method using a thermoelectric element, in which power is obtained from the thermoelectric element by creating a temperature difference in the element, the element comprising: a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed to oppose each other; and a laminate interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connected to both of the first and second electrodes, the laminate having a structure in which a Bi layer and a metal layer made of a metal other than Bi are alternately layered, and the Bi layer and the metal layer having layer surfaces that are slanted with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other, the method comprising creating a temperature difference along a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the first and second electrodes in the element, so as to obtain power via the first electrode and the second electrode.