Optimization of power and efficiency of thermoelectric devices with asymmetric thermal contacts
Date of this Version
1-15-2012Citation
J. Appl. Phys. 111, 024509 (2012)
Abstract
We report the theoretical efficiency of thermoelectric power generation with asymmetric thermal contacts to reservoirs. A key ingredient is the electrical and thermal co-optimization. Generic formula of the maximum power output and the optimum leg length are obtained. The Curzon-Ahlborn limit at maximum power can be rigorously derived when the dimensionless figure-of-merit is very large for any asymmetric thermal contact resistances. The results differ from cyclic thermodynamic engines, and some of the reasons are discussed. We also point out the similarity and differences with single-level quantum dot heat engines, which assume no explicit thermal contact resistance with reservoirs. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3679544]
Discipline(s)
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
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Comments
Copyright 2012 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in J. Appl. Phys. 111, 024509 (2012) and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3679544. The following article has been accepted by Journal of Applied Physics. Copyright 2012, Kazuaki Yazawa and Ali Shakouri. This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.