Abstract Title
Characterizing Half-Heusler Thermoelectric Unicouple Efficiency
Abstract
As efficient energy generation and use become increasingly important global concerns, high thermal energy losses in many current technologies pose problems for creating energy efficient devices. Thermoelectric materials and devices provide a viable method to recover waste heat through direct heat to energy conversion; however, many existing devices are costly and inefficient, usually providing less than 10% efficiency. In particular, half-Heusler thermoelectric materials have the potential to provide significant increases in overall device efficiency due to their favorable material properties: relatively high Seebeck coefficient, high electrical conductivity, low thermal conductivity, and high mechanical strength. The data presented here are from half-Heusler unicouples fabricated using a variety of processes and materials and analyzed to determine the effects of fabrication techniques on unicouple strength and efficiency.
Characterizing Half-Heusler Thermoelectric Unicouple Efficiency
As efficient energy generation and use become increasingly important global concerns, high thermal energy losses in many current technologies pose problems for creating energy efficient devices. Thermoelectric materials and devices provide a viable method to recover waste heat through direct heat to energy conversion; however, many existing devices are costly and inefficient, usually providing less than 10% efficiency. In particular, half-Heusler thermoelectric materials have the potential to provide significant increases in overall device efficiency due to their favorable material properties: relatively high Seebeck coefficient, high electrical conductivity, low thermal conductivity, and high mechanical strength. The data presented here are from half-Heusler unicouples fabricated using a variety of processes and materials and analyzed to determine the effects of fabrication techniques on unicouple strength and efficiency.