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  • Flexible thermoelectric gen...
    Francioso, L.; De Pascali, C.; Farella, I.; Martucci, C.; Cretì, P.; Siciliano, P.; Perrone, A.

    Journal of power sources, 03/2011, Letnik: 196, Številka: 6
    Journal Article

    ▶ Present work shows design, fabrication and functional characterization of a very low cost energy autonomous, maintenance free, flexible and wearable micro thermoelectric generator (μTEG). ▶ The preliminary prototype integrates an array of 100 thin films thermocouples of Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3. ▶ At real operation conditions (thermal gradient of 15°C), device generates an open circuit output voltage of about 160mV, electrical output power up to 4.18nW. ▶ Deposition investigation of Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3 thin films alloys on Kapton HN polyimide foil by RF magnetron co-sputtering technique is discussed. ▶ Deposition parameters have been optimized to gain perfect stoichiometric ratio and high thermoelectric power factor. In this work we proposed design, fabrication and functional characterization of a very low cost energy autonomous, maintenance free, flexible and wearable micro thermoelectric generator (μTEG), finalized to power very low consumption electronics ambient assisted living (AAL) applications. The prototype, integrating an array of 100 thin films thermocouples of Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3, generates, at 40°C, an open circuit output voltage of 430mV and an electrical output power up to 32nW with matched load. In real operation conditions of prototype, which are believed to be very close to a thermal gradient of 15°C, the device generates an open circuit output voltage of about 160mV, with an electrical output power up to 4.18nW. In the first part of work, deposition investigation Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3 thin films alloys on Kapton HN polyimide foil by RF magnetron co-sputtering technique is discussed. Deposition parameters have been optimized to gain perfect stoichiometric ratio and high thermoelectric power factor; fabricated thermogenerator has been tested at low gradient conditioned to evaluate applications like human skin wearable power generator for ambient assisted living applications.