Charge-Transport Thermoelectric Module with Photothermal Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoelectric conversion elements face challenges in simultaneously achieving high Seebeck coefficient, high electric conductivity, and low thermal conductivity, making it difficult to develop materials with these properties, and thermoelectric modules that utilize solar heat and light have not been effectively implemented due to these limitations.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric conversion module comprising charge-transport-type thermoelectric conversion elements formed on an insulating substrate with a charge transport layer doped to provide n-type or p-type semiconductor properties, combined with a photothermal conversion substrate that absorbs light and converts it into heat, allowing for the use of thermoelectric materials with high Seebeck coefficients and low electric conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermoelectric conversion material with high electric conductivity is used to improve internal resistance, then electric conductivity is improved, but Seebeck coefficient decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the thermoelectric conversion element into two functional parts: a charge transport layer responsible for electrical conduction and a thermoelectric conversion material layer responsible for thermoelectric conversion. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the charge transport layer provides high electric conductivity while the thermoelectric conversion material maintains high Seebeck coefficient, thus resolving the contradiction between internal resistance and Seebeck coefficient.
2Device complexity
If conventional thermoelectric conversion elements are used, then structure is simple, but utilization of sunlight and solar heat is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges a photothermal conversion substrate with the thermoelectric conversion element to create an integrated structure. The photothermal conversion substrate absorbs sunlight and converts it to heat, which then drives the thermoelectric conversion process. This combination enables simultaneous utilization of both sunlight (photothermal) and solar heat (thermoelectric), significantly improving solar energy utilization while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Power
If thermoelectric conversion material with high Seebeck coefficient is used, then thermoelectric conversion ability is improved, but electric conductivity becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
The charge transport layer acts as an intermediary between the external circuit and the thermoelectric conversion material layer. It provides a high conductivity pathway for charge carriers while allowing the thermoelectric conversion material to maintain its high Seebeck coefficient characteristics. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by decoupling the electrical conduction function from the thermoelectric conversion function.
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 configuration enables the effective utilization of sunlight and solar heat to generate power, overcoming the limitations of conventional thermoelectric materials by reducing internal resistance and enhancing thermoelectric conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the photothermal conversion substrate is disposed so that it absorbs external light and converts it into heat and transfers the heat to the electrodes or the thermoelectric conversion material layers disposed on the charge transport layers
Implementation Method 2
a n-type structure in which block-shaped an n-type and a p-type thermoelectric conversion material are sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes and are connected with an upper electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion module which can utilize sunlight and solar heat by using high output charge-transport-type thermoelectric conversion elements. The present invention provides A thermoelectric conversion module which comprises at least a thermoelectric conversion module-element in which charge-transport-type thermoelectric conversion elements are formed and a photothermal conversion substrate containing photothermal conversion material, wherein the thermoelectric conversion module-element comprises an insulating substrate, and n-type and/or p-type charge-transport-type thermoelectric conversion elements are formed on the insulating substrate, wherein the charge-transport-type thermoelectric conversion element comprises a charge transport layer and thermoelectric conversion material layers and electrodes, wherein the photothermal conversion substrate is disposed so that it absorbs external light and converts it into heat and transfers the heat to the electrodes or the thermoelectric conversion material layers disposed on the charge transport layers.