Abstract
A wireless earphone requires a portable power source to keep it operational for long time. Currently, small batteries are integrated with the earphones that are used until the stored energy is completely diminished. When a user uses an earphone, its front side temperature remains near 305 K, and the rear side experiences ambient temperature. A route can be designed to dissipate the heat from the front side to the rear side using thermoelectric materials. The deposition of an organized thermoelectric material inside an earphone can help produce some electrical energy to enhance the durability of the battery. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are used to convert heat into electrical energy. In this paper, we present a numerical analysis of a thermoelectric generator in conjunction with an earphone. The TEG model consists of p-type and n-type Bismuth Telluride ( ${Bi}_{2}{Te}_{3}$ ) semiconductor legs connected thermally in parallel and electrically in series. COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 was used to simulate and predict the power output by the TEG. Three different temperature conditions ( $\Delta \text{T}\,\,=10.5$ , 7.5, and 4.5 K) were analyzed to investigate the performance of the TEG. Finally, the outputs at two additional temperature differences (( $\Delta \text{T}\,\,=3$ , and 20 K) were examined by considering situations where the earphone wearer is exposed to summer and winter environments, respectively.
Highlights
Thermoelectric devices can generate electrical power from two different heat sources based on the Seebeck effect [1], [2]
The electrical power output and heat transfer through the Thermoelectric generator (TEG) were analyzed at three different temperatures
Due to the lower temperature difference between the hot and cold sides ( T = 4.5 K) of the TEG, its surface temperature was dominated by the heat source
Summary
Thermoelectric devices can generate electrical power from two different heat sources based on the Seebeck effect [1], [2]. The TEG produced a maximum power of 29 W at a temperature difference of 80 ◦C. At a temperature difference of 60 K, the TEG produced a thermoelectric voltage of 9.2 mV and an output power of 1.75 nW [12]. A TEG produces electricity when the connected junctions of two dissimilar materials (p-type and n-type) have a potential temperature difference. It contains two alumina (Al2O3) substrates at each end of the p-type and n-type legs in parallel. A TEG produces a higher amount of electrical power when its temperature gradient remains higher, the difference between body and ambient temperature is not appreciably high.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
