High Power Density Thermoelectric Generators with Skutterudites

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer a versatile solution to convert low-grade heat into useful electrical power. While reducing the length of active thermoelectric legs provides an efficient strategy increase maximum output power density pmax, both high contact resistances and thermomechanical stresses are two central issues that have so far prevented strong reduction in volume materials integrated. Here, it is demonstrated these barriers can be lifted by using nonconventional architecture which involves inserting thick metallic layers. Using skutterudites as proof-of-principle, several single-couple multi-couple TEGs with skutterudite layers only 1 mm fabricated, yielding record pmax ranging from 3.4 up 7.6 W cm?2 under temperature differences varying between 450 630 K. The highest achieved corresponds 60-fold per unit compared cm long legs. This work establishes robust through may developed.