Insulators and Materials for Closed-Spaced Thermoelectric Modules

Snowden, Donald P.

Hi-Z Technology

关键词: Molybdenum;    36 Materials Science;    Design;    Electrodes;    Fabrication;   

DOI  :  10.2172/839427
RP-ID  :  HZ-4002
RP-ID  :  FG03-02ER83455
RP-ID  :  839427

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The primary goal of this Phase I program has been accomplished: to demonstrate a ceramic, injection-molded eggcrate which will form the support structure for a close-spaced thermoelectric module which can operate at significantly higher temperatures than presently possible with such modules. It has been shown that yttria-stabilized zirconia is compatible at high temperatures with typical thermoelectric materials (TAGS, SnTE and PbTe) and that it can serve as a barrier between them to preclude cross-contamination and doping of the constituents of one leg type by those from the other. Using a 2 x 2 ceramic eggcrate, thermally sprayed molybdenum electrodes have been deposited on a test module which effectively seal each pocket, further reducing the possibility of migration of elements. Based on these results the next tasks are to refine the design of the injection tool and the injection parameters to produce consistent results and to allow increase in the size of the module to that on which commercial, high-temperature thermoelectric modules can be based. In addition, development of the fabrication techniques for segmented thermoelectric legs for use with these ceramic eggcrates at high temperatures must be continued.