Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are a form of energy harvester and eco-friendly power generation system that directly transform thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric (TE) method of energy harvesting takes advantage of the Seebeck effect, which offers a simple solution for fulfil...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/12/7/734 |
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| author | Nurkhaizan Zulkepli Jumril Yunas Mohd Ambri Mohamed Azrul Azlan Hamzah |
| author_facet | Nurkhaizan Zulkepli Jumril Yunas Mohd Ambri Mohamed Azrul Azlan Hamzah |
| author_sort | Nurkhaizan Zulkepli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are a form of energy harvester and eco-friendly power generation system that directly transform thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric (TE) method of energy harvesting takes advantage of the Seebeck effect, which offers a simple solution for fulfilling the power-supply demand in almost every electronics system. A high-temperature condition is commonly essential in the working mechanism of the TE device, which unfortunately limits the potential implementation of the device. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of TEGs at low operating temperature. The review starts with an extensive description of their fundamental working principles, structure, physical properties, and the figure of merit (ZT). An overview of the associated key challenges in optimising ZT value according to the physical properties is discussed, including the state of the art of the advanced approaches in ZT optimisation. Finally, this manuscript summarises the research status of Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>-based semiconductors and other compound materials as potential materials for TE generators working at low operating temperatures. The improved TE materials suggest that TE power-generation technology is essential for sustainable power generation at near-room temperature to satisfy the requirement for reliable energy supplies in low-power electrical/electronics systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:09:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-92f7d89d634b43f98353808505e9ba42 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:09:53Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-92f7d89d634b43f98353808505e9ba422023-11-22T01:16:30ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2021-06-0112773410.3390/mi12070734Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and MaterialsNurkhaizan Zulkepli0Jumril Yunas1Mohd Ambri Mohamed2Azrul Azlan Hamzah3Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, MalaysiaInstitute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, MalaysiaInstitute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, MalaysiaInstitute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, MalaysiaThermoelectric generators (TEGs) are a form of energy harvester and eco-friendly power generation system that directly transform thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric (TE) method of energy harvesting takes advantage of the Seebeck effect, which offers a simple solution for fulfilling the power-supply demand in almost every electronics system. A high-temperature condition is commonly essential in the working mechanism of the TE device, which unfortunately limits the potential implementation of the device. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of TEGs at low operating temperature. The review starts with an extensive description of their fundamental working principles, structure, physical properties, and the figure of merit (ZT). An overview of the associated key challenges in optimising ZT value according to the physical properties is discussed, including the state of the art of the advanced approaches in ZT optimisation. Finally, this manuscript summarises the research status of Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>-based semiconductors and other compound materials as potential materials for TE generators working at low operating temperatures. The improved TE materials suggest that TE power-generation technology is essential for sustainable power generation at near-room temperature to satisfy the requirement for reliable energy supplies in low-power electrical/electronics systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/12/7/734energy harvesterlow operating temperaturesthermoelectric generatorthermoelectric material |
| spellingShingle | Nurkhaizan Zulkepli Jumril Yunas Mohd Ambri Mohamed Azrul Azlan Hamzah Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials Micromachines energy harvester low operating temperatures thermoelectric generator thermoelectric material |
| title | Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials |
| title_full | Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials |
| title_fullStr | Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials |
| title_short | Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials |
| title_sort | review of thermoelectric generators at low operating temperatures working principles and materials |
| topic | energy harvester low operating temperatures thermoelectric generator thermoelectric material |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/12/7/734 |
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