Design and Power Generation of Tilted Multilayers via the Transverse Seebeck Effect

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H03383
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Inorganic materials/Physical properties
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: MIYAZAKI Yuzuru 東北大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (40261606)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 熱電変換 / 電気・電子材料 / 非対角熱電効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to fabricate tilted-multilayer-type power modules based on the off-diagonal thermoelectric (ODTE) effect, wherein the electric current flows perpendicular to the temperature gradient, we performed computer simulation and designed several prototype modules. Consequently, we have confirmed the occurrence of the ODTE effect. The output power was proved to depend on the relative thickness of the TE material, as well as the tilted angle of the module and the highest power was demonstrated to occur at around the relative thickness of ~0.1 and the angle of ~30 degree. In the actually fabricated modules, diffusion of constituent elements was confirmed to deteriorate the output power. Nevertheless, the highest output power was higher than that obtained from the conventional pai-type TE modules.

Free Research Field

無機材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまであまり注目されていなかった、電流⊥熱流型の熱電発電モジュールの実現に向け、基礎研究によりその実現の可能性が高まるとともに、異種材料間の相互拡散を抑制する課題があることがわかった。この課題は、今後製造法を検討することで克服できる可能性が高い。
社会的には、膨大な100℃以下の低温排熱を熱リサイクルにより電力に変換するニーズが増えており、本研究開発は、こうした方面への応用が期待される。