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Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (13 October 2023) | Viewed by 11758

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Dr. Zinovi Dashevsky

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Guest Editor

Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
Interests: direct energy conversion; solar energy; thermoelectric power electronic converters; thermoelectric coolers; thermoelectric materials

Dr. Lyudmyla Vikhor

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Guest Editor

Institute of Thermoelectricity of the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Interests: theory of thermoelectricity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development and wide application of thermoelectric generation as a user-friendly, direct energy conversion technology are limited by two main factors: the relatively low conversion efficiency of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and the limited availability of thermoelectric materials for large-scale production of high-performance TEGs for industrial applications. Researchers and engineers have focused their efforts on solving these problems by increasing the thermoelectric efficiency, Z, in operating temperatures ranging from 300 to 900 K and the research, development, and production of novel high-performance thermoelectric materials consisting of elements highly abundant on the Earth. Unfortunately, the candidates for new high-performance materials are far from satisfactory. Therefore, the improvement of TE performance in materials based on well-established A^VB^VI and A^IVB^VI semiconductors seems to be logical. For real, practical applications in energy conversion, we currently have only two groups of thermoelectric materials: Bi₂Te₃-based materials for an ambient temperature range of 300 - 600 K and A^IVB^VI (PbTe, GeTe) semiconductors for a temperature range of 500 - 800 K. Thermoelectricity could be a future leader in waste heat recovery, with applications in two main domains. The first deals with the use of heat emitted from a radioisotope to supply electricity to various devices. Space exploration is the only area for which the application of thermoelectricity has been successful. In the second domain, a natural heat source is utilized for producing electricity; an example of this is seen in gas thermoelectric generators (TEGs), which are widely used for the cathodic defense of gas tube lines (in the northern areas of Russia, Canada, USA) and operate as autonomic energy stations.

Prof. Dr. Zinovi Dashevsky
Dr. Lyudmyla Vikhor
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 5091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Efficiency for Miniscale Thermoelectric Converter under the Influence of Electrical and Thermal Resistance of Contacts

by Lyudmyla Vikhor and Maxim Kotsur

Energies 2023, 16(10), 4082; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16104082 - 13 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

Mass-produced thermoelectric modules are mainly fabricated with Bi₂Te₃-based materials. Due to the limited world reserves and the high price of tellurium, it must be saved. The miniaturization of thermoelectric converters is one of the modern trends to diminish the use of tellurium, reduce the cost of modules and expand the range of their applications. The main disadvantage of miniature thermoelectric converters operating in cooling or generating modes is their low energy efficiency, caused by the effect of electrical and thermal resistances of contacts, interconnectors and insulating plates. We propose an improved method for evaluating the maximum efficiency that takes into consideration the impact of these unwanted resistances. This method can also be used to design the modules with the optimal structure for cooling and energy generation, and not only to study their performance. The effect of undesirable electrical and thermal resistances on the maximum efficiency of cooling and generating converters made of Bi₂Te₃-based materials is analyzed. It is shown that the efficiency of miniature modules can be significantly improved if these resistances are reduced to their rational values. The decrease in electrical contact resistance is the predominant factor. The rational values to which it is advisable to decrease the electrical contact resistance have been determined. In the development of miniscale module technology, it is necessary to focus on such rational contact resistance values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices)

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11 pages, 926 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating Thermoelectric Batteries Based on Nanostructured Materials

by Svyatoslav Yatsyshyn, Oleksandra Hotra, Pylyp Skoropad, Tetiana Bubela, Mykola Mykyichuk, Orest Kochan and Oksana Boyko

Energies 2023, 16(9), 3940; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093940 - 7 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1681

Abstract

This article discusses the characteristics of the design of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for cold climates. Since the thermocouples of thermoelectric batteries are produced from different materials, their major properties are studied. Particular attention is given to nanostructured materials regarding the modern class of thermoelectric materials. Two-, three-, and four-component alloys (metallic glasses) of the Fe-Ni(Cu)-P-B system are chosen based on the experience of thermoelectric thermometry. The close chemical composition of two thermoelectrodes enables their compatibility in thermocouple production and satisfactory thermoelectric efficiency of batteries during long-term operation. The improvement of the thermoelectric battery characteristics related to a unit of mass is evaluated. The materials studied are distinguished by the absence of toxic components harmful to the environment at the manufacturing and operating stages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices)

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16 pages, 5537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology

by Stephen Lucas, Romeo Marian, Michael Lucas, Titilayo Ogunwa and Javaan Chahl

Energies 2023, 16(9), 3844; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093844 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1657

Abstract

Electric motors and generators underpin life in today’s world. They are numerous and widespread and consume approximately 45% of the world’s energy. Any improvements in efficiency or reductions in their whole-of-life costs are actively and continually being sought. While designs accommodate the removal of heat caused by internal losses because of inefficiencies, temperature variations due to load changes and environmental temperature fluctuations, and system harmonic content still stresses electrical insulation systems. This causes the fretting of insulation, combined with moisture ingress, which leads to leakage currents and, consequently, the early failure of the electrical insulation. This paper explores the addition of thermoelectric coolers/heaters (TECs) or Peltier effect devices. We show that these solid-state devices can actively support the thermal management of a motor by keeping its internals hot, reducing moisture ingress when off, and assisting in heat removal when under load, resulting in a more thermally stable internal environment. A thermally stable environment inside the electrical machine reduces the mechanical stresses on the electrical insulation, resulting in a longer operational life and reducing the whole-of-life costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices)

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11 pages, 2077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Solar System of Electricity and Heat

by Sergii Mamykin, Roni Z. Shneck, Bohdan Dzundza, Feng Gao and Zinovi Dashevsky

Energies 2023, 16(7), 3036; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073036 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1667

Abstract

Thermoelectric devices may have an essential role in the development of fuel-saving, environmentallyfriendly, and cost-effective energy sources for power generation based on the direct conversion of heat into electrical energy. A wide usage of thermoelectric energy systems already exhibits high reliability and long operation time in the space industry and gas pipe systems. The development and application of solar thermoelectric generators (TEGs) arelimited mainly by relatively low thermoelectric conversion efficiency. Forthe first time, we propose to use the direct energy conversion of solar energy by TEGs based on the high-performance multilayer thermoelectric modules with electric efficiency of ~15%. Solar energy was absorbed and converted to thermal energy, which is accumulated by a phase-change material (aluminum alloys at solidification temperature ~900 K). The heat flow from the accumulator through the thermoelectric convertor (generator) allows electrical power to be obtained and the exhaust energy to be used for household purposes (heating and hot water supply) or for the operation of a plant for thermal desalination of water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices)

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Review

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31 pages, 16185 KiB

Open AccessReview

Development and Applications of Thermoelectric Oxide Ceramics and Devices

by Ping Zhang, Zhihao Lou, Lingyun Gong, Zhuozhao Wu, Xuanjie Chen, Weihang Xu, Yiqi Wang, Jie Xu, Zinovi Dashevsky and Feng Gao

Energies 2023, 16(11), 4475; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114475 - 1 Jun 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2813

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials have gained wide attention to realize multilevel efficient energy management to alleviate the increasingly severe energy crisis. Oxide ceramics were well-explored as potential thermoelectric candidates because of their outstanding merits, including abundance, eco-friendliness, high-temperature stability, and chemical stability. In this work, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the diversified state-of-the-art oxide ceramics and establish the links between composition designing, preparation process, structural characteristics, and properties to summarize the underlying chemistry and physics mechanism of band engineering, doping, composited with the second phase, defects engineering, and entropy engineering. Furthermore, advanced device design and applications such as thermoelectric modules, miniature generators, sensors, and coolers were reviewed. Ultimately, the challenges and future perspective of oxides ceramics for the device design and thermoelectric applications in the development of energy harvesting technology have been prospected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices)

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19 pages, 6304 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Nanocrystalline Film Thermoelectrics on Lead Chalcogenide Semiconductors: Progress and Application

by Zinovi Dashevsky, Sergii Mamykin, Bohdan Dzundza, Mark Auslender and Roni Z. Shneck

Energies 2023, 16(9), 3774; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093774 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1476

Abstract

Submicron-structured films of thermoelectric materials, exhibiting an improved thermoelectric figure of merit, are reviewed, including methods of fabrication and characterization. The review emphasizes the beneficial role of the grain boundaries in polycrystalline films. The enhanced Seebeck coefficient of lead chalcogenide films is attributed to a potential relief that is built along the grain boundaries. It scatters charge carriers with low energy and does not affect carriers with higher energy. The model that accounts for the thermoelectric properties of the films is described and assessed experimentally. The application of a flexible thermoelectric device (module) based on the nanocrystalline film thermoelectric semiconductors as high sensitivity radiation detectors is suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory and Applications of Thermoelectric Materials and Devices)

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