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Characterization of Thermoelectric Power Generation Modules Made from New Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Jarrod L. Short ,
Jonathan D'Angelo ,
Adam D. Downey ,
Michael A. Pajor ,
Ed Timm ,
Harold Schock ,
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis  and
Timothy P. Hogan
Jarrod L. Short
Affiliation:
shortjar@msu.edu, Michigan State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2120 Engineering, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
Jonathan D'Angelo
Affiliation:
dangelo4@msu.edu, Michigan State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States
Adam D. Downey
Affiliation:
downeyad@egr.msu.edu, Michigan State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States
Michael A. Pajor
Affiliation:
pajormic@msu.edu, Michigan State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States
Ed Timm
Affiliation:
timm@egr.msu.edu, Michigan State University, Mechanical Engineering, United States
Harold Schock
Affiliation:
schock@egr.msu.edu, Michigan State University, Mechanical Engineering, United States
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
Affiliation:
kanatzid@cem.msu.edu, Michigan State University, Chemistry, United States
Timothy P. Hogan
Affiliation:
hogant@msu.edu, Michigan State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States
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Abstract

Lead-Antimony-Silver-Tellurium (L-A-S-T) materials, synthesized at Michigan State University, show promising thermoelectric properties at high temperatures for use in power generation applications. Recent scaled-up quantities of L-A-S-T show a ZT=1.4 at 700 K approaching the figure of merit for samples made in small quantities. These materials are of great interest for power generation applications with hot side temperatures in the range of 600-800 K. Developing these materials into working devices requires minimization of the thermal and electrical parasitic contact resistances, so various fabrication methods are under investigation. To examine each method, a new measurement system has been developed to characterize these devices under various load and temperature gradients. An introduction to the system will be presented, as well as results for devices made of the L-A-S-T materials.

Keywords

thermoelectricityelectrical propertiesPb
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 886: Symposium F – Materials and Technologies fore Direct Thermal-to-Electric Energy Conversion , 2005 , 0886-F08-09
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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References

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