Characterisation of the Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting Applications

Abstract

This paper addresses various aspects concerning the structure and application of thermoelectric devices. The first part deals with the experimental analysis conducted on the materials that form the thermoelements in a thermoelectric device. The paper recalls the main parameters investigated, describes the methods used in the experimental characterisation and shows the results of the experiments. The experimental results are useful for understanding the different characteristics of the materials used in the thermoelements. The successive part presents the results of the simulations carried out by considering the application of the thermoelements studied in the operational framework of an energy harvesting device, in which a temperature difference is converted into an output voltage that can supply an electrical load.