Patent ID: 7932460
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric element comprising: a first heterostructure thermoelectric portion, a second heterostructure thermoelectric portion, and a third heterostructure thermoelectric portion, the first, second, and third heterostructure thermoelectric portions of the same conductivity type and electrically coupled in series to one another such that current flows from the first heterostructure thermoelectric portion to the second heterostructure thermoelectric portion to the third heterostructure thermoelectric portion; a first bonding portion between the first and second heterostructure thermoelectric portions and which bonds to the first heterostructure thermoelectric portion and to the second heterostructure thermoelectric portion, wherein the current flows through the first bonding portion from the first heterostructure thermoelectric portion to the second heterostructure thermoelectric portion and the first bonding portion comprises a flexible bonding material that is configured to not transmit significant shear stresses in the first and second heterostructure thermoelectric portions; a second bonding portion between the second and third heterostructure thermoelectric portions and which bonds to the second heterostructure thermoelectric portion and to the third heterostructure thermoelectric portion, wherein the current flows through the second bonding portion from the second heterostructure thermoelectric portion to the third heterostructure thermoelectric portion and the second bonding portion comprises the flexible bonding material; and an electrically conductive material in electrical communication with the first and third heterostructure thermoelectric portions.