Ionic Solid Thermoelectric Conversion Element for Low-Power Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric conversion devices require insulation and a large amount of electric power to generate a temperature gradient, making them difficult to downsize and process freely.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric conversion device comprising electrodes and an ionic solid with an anionic heterometal complex forming a crystal lattice and cationic species in interstices, which generates a temperature gradient when an electric field is applied, allowing for efficient conversion without insulation and reduced power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a Peltier device with metallic electrodes and semiconductors is used for thermoelectric conversion, then heat can be absorbed and generated through passage of direct current, but the device requires insulation covering and a large amount of current to produce a sufficient temperature gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the thermoelectric conversion system by replacing metallic electrodes and semiconductor materials with an ionic solid that exhibits ion conductivity. This material substitution enables thermoelectric conversion at lower current levels and eliminates the need for insulation, directly addressing the contradiction between energy efficiency and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite ionic solid material comprising an anionic heterometal complex and a cationic species. This composite structure provides both ion conductivity for efficient thermoelectric conversion and inherent insulating properties that eliminate the need for additional insulation layers, thereby reducing device complexity and improving ease of operation
2Ease of manufacture
If metallic electrodes and semiconductors are used in a Peltier device, then thermoelectric conversion can be achieved, but the device structure requires insulation and cannot be freely processed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the insulation component from the traditional Peltier device structure. The ionic solid material inherently provides both the active thermoelectric conversion function and the insulating function, allowing the device to be processed freely without additional insulation layers, thus improving ease of manufacture and reducing device complexity
3Temperature
If a large amount of current is passed through a Peltier device to generate a sufficient temperature gradient, then thermoelectric conversion can be achieved, but the device requires insulation and cannot be downsized efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the charge carrier parameter from electrons in traditional Peltier devices to ions in the ionic solid. This fundamental parameter change enables efficient thermoelectric conversion at much lower current levels while maintaining effective temperature gradient generation, directly resolving the contradiction between temperature generation capability and energy consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device can efficiently perform thermoelectric conversion without insulation and large electric power, enabling easy processing and shape modification, with the generation of both Dufour and Joule heat controlled by voltage application.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature gradient is produced when an electric field is applied... generation of both Dufour and Joule heat controlled by voltage application
Implementation Method 2
generation of both Dufour and Joule heat controlled by voltage application
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an easy-to-process thermoelectric conversion device whose shape can be freely changed. The device is provided containing electrodes and an ionic solid, wherein the ionic solid has: an anionic heterometal complex aggregated to form a crystal lattice; and a cationic species present in interstices of the crystal lattice, and wherein the anionic heterometal complex includes: a metal M1 selected from the group consisting of the elements of Groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table and Cr and Mn; a metal M2 selected from the group consisting of the elements of Groups 11 and 12 of the Periodic Table; and a ligand.