Patent ID: 8921679

Claim:
A thermoelectric module, comprising: a plurality of p-type and n-type segmented thermoelectric elements disposed in a planar array, wherein the p-type and n-type segmented thermoelectric elements are coupled in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes, and each segmented thermoelectric element includes at least two vertically homogeneous thermoelectric segments, and the two adjacent thermoelectric segments of the at least two vertically homogeneous thermoelectric segments have a fusion-bonding layer therebetween, and wherein the fusion-bonding layer comprises: a tin-containing material; and a plurality of spacers disposed among the tin-containing material, wherein the spacers are made of Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Ti, Mn, Ag, Cu, or a combination thereof, and the melting point of the spacers is higher than the liquidus temperature of the tin-containing material, and wherein the spacers are strip-shaped and have an aspect ratio between 20 and 500.