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6 Watt Segmented Power Generator Modules using Bi2Te3 and (InGaAs)1-x(InAlAs)x Elements Embedded with ErAs Nanoparticles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Gehong Zeng ,
Je-Hyeong Bahk ,
Ashok T Ramu ,
John E Bowers ,
Hong Lu ,
Arthur C Gossard ,
Zhixi Bian ,
Mona Zebarjadi  and
Ali Shakouri
Gehong Zeng
Affiliation:
gehong@ece.ucsb.edu, University of California, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Santa Barbara, California, United States
Je-Hyeong Bahk
Affiliation:
jhbahk@ece.ucsb.edu, University of California, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Santa Barbara, California, United States
Ashok T Ramu
Affiliation:
ashok.ramu@gmail.com, University of California, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Santa Barbara, California, United States
John E Bowers
Affiliation:
bowers@ece.ucsb.edu, University of California, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Santa Barbara, California, Cambodia
Hong Lu
Affiliation:
luhong@engineering.ucsb.edu, University of California, Materials Department, Santa Barbara, California, United States
Arthur C Gossard
Affiliation:
gossard@engineering.ucsb.edu, University of California, Materials Department, Santa Barbara, California, United States
Zhixi Bian
Affiliation:
zxbian@soe.ucsc.edu, University of California, Electrical Engineering Department, Santa Cruz, California, United States
Mona Zebarjadi
Affiliation:
mona@soe.ucsc.edu, University of California, Electrical Engineering Department, Santa Cruz, California, United States
Ali Shakouri
Affiliation:
ali@soe.ucsc.edu, University of California, Electrical Engineering Department, Santa Cruz, California, United States
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Abstract

We report the fabrication and characterization of segmented element power generator modules of 16 x 16 thermoelectric elements consisting of 0.8 mm thick Bi2Te3 and 50 μm thick ErAs:(InGaAs)1-x(InAlAs)x with 0.6% ErAs by volume. Erbium Arsenide metallic nanoparticles are incorporated to create scattering centers for middle and long wavelength phonons, and to form local potential barriers for electron filtering. The thermoelectric properties of ErAs:(InGaAs)1-x(InAlAs)x were characterized in terms of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient from 300 K up to 830 K. Generator modules of Bi2Te3 and ErAs:(InGaAs)1-x(InAlAs)x segmented elements were fabricated and an output power of 6.3 W was measured. 3D finite modeling shows that the performance of thermoelectric generator modules can further be enhanced by the improvement of the thermoelectric properties of the element materials, and reducing the electrical and thermal parasitic losses.

Keywords

thermoelectricnanostructureepitaxy
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1129: Symposium V – Materials and Devices for Smart Systems III , 2008 , 1129-V08-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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References

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