Impact-triggered thermoelectric power generator using phase change material as a heat source
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: This paper demonstrates an impact-triggered thermoelectric generator that uses latent heat liberated from the crystallization of supersaturated sodium acetate trihydrate (SSAT). A volume of SSAT is encapsulated in a polydimethylsiloxane chamber and capped with a steel plate. The device triggers when an external impact is applied to the steel plate, leading to an exothermic crystallization process. The heat creates a thermal gradient across a thermoelectric module which in turn generates electrical output. A maximum hot-junction temperature of 58 °C can be achieved, resulting in an instantaneous output power of 2.08 mW across 185 Ω load using a 3.3 × 2.5 × 1 mm 3 commercially available Bi 2 Te 3 thermoelectric module with 290 junctions.
Authors: C K Yoon, G Chitnis, B Ziaie
Institution: Purdue University West Lafayette
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2077427331