Optimal design for micro-thermoelectric generators using finite element analysis
To fabricate micro-thermoelectric generators (?TEGs), one must design the optimal structure of the ?TEGs and achieve thermoelectric thin films with excellent properties. This study investigated the role of the dimensions of ?TEGs, including the length of the thermoelements, thickness of the substrates, and cross-sectional area of the thermoelements. To evaluate the power generated by ?TEGs and their efficiency, three-dimensional models of ?TEGs were subjected to finite element analysis. Three-dimensional models are more accurate than one-dimensional models, since the directions of the heat flux and electrical current are not parallel in ?TEGs. The governing equations were derived from the Seebeck effect and Peltier effect, which show thermoelectric energy conversion. In the simulation, the substrate, n-type material, and p-type material were assumed to be silicon, Bi2Te3, and Sb2Te3, respectively. We calculated the thermoelectric power generated by the ?TEGs and their thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency. These two evaluation indices represent the performance of ?TEGs. The thermoelectric simulation produced design guidelines for high-performance ?TEGs.
micro-thermoelectric generator finite element analysis seebeck effect peltier effect