Study of heat conduction in three-layered structure—a sandwich model

Abstract

One-dimensional sandwich model, a three-layered structure - segmented thermoelectric material, is studied based on the mass-spring oscillator structure which effectively allows (resists) heat and can work as a heat conductor (heat barrier). The temperature profile, heat flux, interface thermal resistance, thermal conductivity and figure of merit of such sandwich structures are studied by varying the mass of an oscillator of the sandwich segment. It is seen that the heat transfer can be tuned by changing the mass of the middle segment of the sandwich model. When mass of an oscillator in middle layer is less (larger) than the mass of an oscillator of outer layers, the material behaves as a heat barrier (good heat conductor). It is shown that the proper mass asymmetry improved the figure of merit of the segmented thermoelectric material up to 244% in comparison to the single thermoelectric material.