NEW METHODOLOGY OF THERMOELECTRIC MODULES DESIGN TO AN INCREASE OF PERFORMANCES

This paper presents a new methodology of thermoelectric modules design, by defining a new geometric parameter extracted from an analytical model, allow ing an optimization of electrical performances. With the need to increase continuously the electric al performances of thermoelectric modules and the necessity to decrease the modules' size (especially in thin films technology) to facilitate their inte gration, the design of module (junctions number, legs area…) has to be finely defined. Thus, to evaluate design impact, we define here a n ew geometric parameter, called thermoelectric mater ials ratio (TMR). The choice of TMR appears to be dependent of numerous system parameters, such as TE materials properties, module parameter and environment properties. Thus, we develop in this paper a modeling whi ch introduces TMR and taking into account all system p arameters. This model has been applied to classical materials (Bi 2Te 3 and polycrystalline SiGe) and to nanostructured ma terials, such as silicides QDSL (quantum dots superlattices). The influence of each parameter is studied and we show then that a specific value of T MR optimizes module's performances for each material.