Large-scalable fabrication of improved Bi–Te-based flexible thermoelectric modules using a semiconductor manufacturing process

Abstract

Among the several flexible thermoelectric modules in existence, sintered Bi–Te-based modules represent a viable option because of their high output power density and flexibility, which enables the use of arbitrary heat sources. We have fabricated Bi–Te-based modules with a large-scalable fabrication process and improved their output performance. The reduction in the interconnection resistance, using thick electrodes of the flexible printed circuit, significantly improves the module’s output power to 87 mW cm−2 at ΔT = 70 K, which is 1.3-fold higher than a previous prototype module. Furthermore, the establishment of the fabrication for the top electrodes by using the surface mount technology makes it possible to realize a high-throughput manufacturing of the module. Our durability tests reveal that there is no significant change in the internal resistance of the module during 10 000 cycles of mechanical bending test and 1000 cycles of thermal stress test.