Energy Conversion Using New Thermoelectric Generator

During recent years, microelectronics helped to develop complex and varied technologies. It appears that many of these technologies can be applied successfully to realize Seebeck micro generators: photolithography and deposition methods allow to elaborate thin thermoelectric structures at the micro-scale level. Our goal is to scavenge energy by developing a miniature power source for operating electronic components. First Bi and Sb micro-devices on silicon glass substrate have been manufactured with an area of 1cm2 including more than one hundred junctions. Each step of process fabrication has been optimized: photolithography, deposition process, anneals conditions and metallic connections. Different device structures have been realized with different micro-line dimensions. Each devices performance will be reviewed and discussed in function of their design structure.

[1]  Giordano,et al.  Localization and electron-electron interaction effects in thin Bi wires and films. , 1988, Physical review. B, Condensed matter.

[2]  H. Bottner,et al.  New thermoelectric components using microsystem technologies , 2004, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems.

[3]  D. Rowe Thermoelectrics Handbook , 2005 .

[4]  David L. Churchill,et al.  Power management for energy harvesting wireless sensors , 2005, SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring.

[5]  Samuel B. Schaevitz,et al.  A MEMS thermoelectric generator , 2000 .

[6]  George S. Nolas,et al.  Thermoelectrics: Basic Principles and New Materials Developments , 2001 .