Thermoelectric Device Asymmetric Surface Roughness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoelectric devices face challenges in achieving high efficiency due to the inverse proportional relationship between electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, making it difficult to increase the ZT value, which is essential for effective conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
The thermoelectric device incorporates legs with differing surface roughness, where one leg has a smooth surface and the other has a rugged surface, reducing thermal conductivity while maintaining or improving electric conductivity through the use of nanowires and selective doping, and configuring legs and terminals with specific materials and conductivity types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the thermal conductivity of thermoelectric legs is increased to improve heat transfer, then the electric conductivity also increases proportionally, but this does not improve the ZT value and thermoelectric efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric surface roughness on the thermoelectric legs, where one surface is smooth and the opposite surface is rugged. This local differentiation allows phonon scattering to occur at specific surfaces, reducing thermal conductivity without significantly affecting electric conductivity, thereby improving the ZT value and thermoelectric efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the surface of thermoelectric legs is made rugged to scatter phonons, then thermal conductivity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetry by deliberately creating different surface roughness characteristics on opposite surfaces of the thermoelectric legs. One surface is maintained smooth while the opposing surface is made rugged through controlled manufacturing processes. This asymmetric design enables selective phonon scattering at the rugged surfaces, effectively reducing thermal conductivity while maintaining manufacturability through established techniques.
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
This design enhances thermoelectric efficiency by scattering phonons and reducing thermal conductivity while maintaining electric conductivity, thereby improving the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy.
Implementation Method 1
This design enhances thermoelectric efficiency by scattering phonons and reducing thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
One of clean energy sources is a thermoelectric device converting thermal energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a thermoelectric device including two legs having a rough side surface and a smooth side surface facing each other. Phonons may be scattered by the rough side surface, thereby decreasing thermal conductivity of the device. Flowing paths for electrons and phonons may become different form each other, because of a magnetic field induced by an electric current passing through the legs. The smooth side surface may be used for the flowing path of electrons. As a result, in the thermoelectric device, thermal conductivity can be reduced and electric conductivity can be maintained.