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Hollow thermoelectric legs with extremely low power-generation cost compatible with scalable manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • Choi, Yousung
  • Park, Sungjin
  • Kim, Woochul

Abstract

Although thermoelectric systems offer advantages such as compactness, silent operation, absence of moving parts, and long-term reliability, their applicability is hindered by high power-generation costs ($/W). This study introduces hollow thermoelectric legs that achieve extremely low $/W while being compatible with existing scalable manufacturing processes. A sodium chloride rod was sintered together with thermoelectric materials and then dissolved to obtain the hollow structure. This unique structure enables reduced material consumption by 60 % (low $) as well as 230 % enhancement in power output (high W) leading to 83 % reduction in $/W over a conventional thermoelectric device with fully filled legs. The scalability of the manufacturing process for the proposed device was also verified by fabricating a thermoelectric module and evaluating its performance. The results achieved with the proposed device architecture highlight the potential for the commercialization of thermoelectric generators.

Suggested Citation

  • Choi, Yousung & Park, Sungjin & Kim, Woochul, 2025. "Hollow thermoelectric legs with extremely low power-generation cost compatible with scalable manufacturing," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 398(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:398:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925010888
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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