Effect Analysis of Material Properties on Thermo-Electric Generator Performance

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Residual thermal energy, a by-product of automobiles, contributes notably to climate change and global warming. This energy is produced as exhaust gases in vehicles with internal combustion engines and as heat from batteries and fuel cells in eco-friendly vehicles. A thermo-electric generator (TEG) can transform this waste heat into useful electrical energy. The efficiency of the TEG is influenced by several factors, including the properties of the materials used, the geometrical design (form factor), and the conditions under which it operates.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">In this study, we examine how the choice of materials for the semiconductors, electrodes, ceramics, and joining components influences the overall performance of the TEG. We evaluate the TEG’s performance based on output power, and efficiency. The findings from these measurements allow us to determine which material and its properties significantly impact the TEG’s performance. For optimal TEG performance, seek materials with high Seebeck coefficients, low thermal conductivities, and low specific resistivities. For all other components (electrodes, ceramic plates, and thermal interface materials), using higher thermal conductivity materials results in higher TEG performance.</div></div>