Direct contact thermoelectric generator (DCTEG): A concept for removing the contact resistance between thermoelectric modules and heat source

Improving the power handling capability of direct contact RF MEMS switches requires a knowledge of conditions at the contact. This paper models the temperature rise in a direct contact RF MEMS switch, including the effects of electrical and thermal contact resistance. The maximum temperature in the beam is found to depend strongly on the power dissipation at the contact, with almost no contribution from dissipation due to currents in the rest of the switch. Moreover, the maximum temperature is found to exceed the limit for metal softening for a significant range of values of thermal and electrical contact resistance. Since local contact asperity temperature can be hundreds of degrees higher than the bulk material temperature modeled here, these results underscore the importance of understanding and controlling thermal and electrical contact resistance in the switch.

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The General-Purpose Heat Source Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator: A Truly General-Purpose Space RTG

10.1063/1.2845028 ◽

2008 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gary L. Bennett ◽

James J. Lombardo ◽

Richard J. Hemler ◽

Gil Silverman ◽

C. W. Whitmore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Source ◽

Thermoelectric Generator ◽

General Purpose

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3 kW Thermoelectric Generator for Natural Gas-Powered Heavy-Duty Vehicles—Holistic Development, Optimization and Validation

Energies ◽

10.3390/en15010015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

Lars Heber ◽

Julian Schwab ◽

Timo Knobelspies

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Thermoelectric Generator ◽

Functional Model ◽

Simultaneous Optimization ◽

Heavy Duty ◽

Holistic Model ◽

Average Deviation ◽

Vehicle Class ◽

Thermoelectric Modules ◽

Heavy Duty Vehicles

Emissions from heavy-duty vehicles need to be reduced to decrease their impact on the climate and to meet future regulatory requirements. The use of a cost-optimized thermoelectric generator based on total cost of ownership is proposed for this vehicle class with natural gas engines. A holistic model environment is presented that includes all vehicle interactions. Simultaneous optimization of the heat exchanger and thermoelectric modules is required to enable high system efficiency. A generator design combining high electrical power (peak power of about 3000 W) with low negative effects was selected as a result. Numerical CFD and segmented high-temperature thermoelectric modules are used. For the first time, the possibility of an economical use of the system in the amortization period of significantly less than 2 years is available, with a fuel reduction in a conventional vehicle topology of already up to 2.8%. A significant improvement in technology maturity was achieved, and the power density of the system was significantly improved to 298 W/kg and 568 W/dm3 compared to the state of the art. A functional model successfully validated the simulation results with an average deviation of less than 6%. An electrical output power of up to 2700 W was measured.

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Integration of heat recirculating microreactors with thermoelectric modules for power generation: A comparative study using CFD

Reaction Chemistry & Engineering ◽

10.1039/d1re00382h ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Neha Yedala ◽

Niket S. Kaisare

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Thermoelectric Generator ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Thermoelectric Modules ◽

Wide Range

Heat recirculating microreactors are being investigated for coupling with thermoelectric generator (TEG) for power generation since they facilitate sustained combustion over a wide range of operating conditions. A major challenge...

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