Abstract
The study presents the development of a 3D Finite Element modelling (FEM) technique for a uni-coupled Ge/SiGe superlattice-based module configuration. The methodological approach involved the development of the geometrical design of the Ge/SiGe – based Thermoelectric generator (TEG), defining the thermoelectric material properties and boundary conditions and then implementation of the governing equations to obtain an approximate solution via meshing of the TEG module. The developed FEM was then used to optimize the geometry of the TEG with the aim of reducing the contact resistance for improved performances. One way to achieve this is to reduce the thickness of the silicon substrate. Thus by reducing the thickness of the substrate, the thermal losses in the system will be minimized. Secondly, by increasing the superlattice heights, the output voltage also increased and given the anisotropic nature of the superlattice, it was inferred that the optimal voltage measurements can be obtained at the surface of the superlattice which yields the maximum leg height. The relevance of this study is that the FEM allows the simulation of the TEG module for different real-world conditions that would otherwise be expensive and time-consuming to investigate experimentally. It also gives insight to the temperature and voltage distribution of the TEG module under varying operating conditions.
Highlights
Thermoelectricity is a phenomenon that involves the coupled interaction between heat and current
This study shows the development of Finite Element modelling (FEM) for the Ge/ SiGe Thermoelectric generator (TEG) module which involves (a) geometrical design of the Ge/SiGe – based TEG module, (b) defining the thermoelectric material properties (c) defining the boundary conditions (d) development of the governing equations and (e) meshing of the TEG – module
Let Material 1 (M1) refer to the building of a TEG module that is void of thermal and electrical contact resistance; while M1 + contact refers to the building of the TEG module that is affected by contact resistance
Summary
Thermoelectricity is a phenomenon that involves the coupled interaction between heat and current. A desirable thermoelectric material is a material with high Seebeck coefficient; low resistivity; and low thermal conductivity. These combinations in properties will yield improve performances in terms of its high voltage; minimise the Joule heating losses; and maintain a significant temperature difference across the p/n legs respectively. TEGs are durable and require little or no maintenance because of their solid state property This makes them suitable for use in remote regions that are difficult to access by humans. Tellurium is considered to be the 9th rarest element available, it is toxic and volatile at high temperatures This makes them non-ideal for commercial purposes [1]. This effect has been demonstrated in [4,5,6] where the thermal resistance of Ge/SiGe superlattices is increased (and reduced thermal conductivity) for samples with a larger number of periods
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