Simulation of a Thermoelectric Spiral Structure

A. Arevalo [1], J. P. Rojas [1], D. Conchouso [1], M. M. Hussain [1], I. G. Foulds [2]
[1] Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
[2] The University of British Columbia, School of Engineering, Okanagan Campus, Canada
Published in 2015

Energy efficiency and harvest, speed and performance, flexibility and portability are key elements for innovation in the current consumer electronics markets. Thermoelectric Generators can convert energy from heat gradients into electricity. Every source of heat from an electronics device can potentially be used as a source of energy. This generators have the advantage of: being silent, compact, simple and scalable fabrication, can power small devices like wristwatches. Our thermoelectric generators are conceived in a flexible polymer substrate, that has been coated with Bismuth Telluride layer. The spiral design allows for an expandable generator that can see a larger heat gradient when it is elongated away from the heat source.

Parallelization of many thermoelectric spirals is used to generate relevant power.