Thermoelectric Energy Scavenging with Temperature Gradient Amplification

Charilaos Mousoulis, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
C. K. Yoon, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Girish Chitnis, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Babak Ziaie, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University

Date of this Version

1-29-2012

Citation

Thermoelectric energy scavenging with temperature gradient amplification C. Mousoulis; C. K. Yoon; G. Chitnis; B. Ziaie Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), 2012 IEEE 25th International Conference on Year: 2012 Pages: 1285 - 1288, DOI: 10.1109/MEMSYS.2012.6170392

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate the application of fluorocarbon evaporative cooling in thermoelectric energy scavenging. The fabrication and performance characterization of a prototype micro-device is presented. The device consists of a thermoelectric generator mounted on a silicon substrate and encapsulated in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) chamber with a flexible cover. By filling the chamber with a fluorocarbon liquid of low boiling point (34 degrees C), we were able to increase the body heat contact harvested energy by 226% compared to a device encapsulated in air. The availability of a variety of fluorocarbon liquids with different boiling points allows this harvesting amplification scheme to be used in a wide range of applications.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

 

Share