Towards modeling thermoelectric properties of anisotropic polycrystalline materials

We report on the development of a finite element method based computational framework for evaluating thermoelectric properties polycrystalline nanostructured materials and composites at mesoscale. This effort was advanced by formulation, testing (if possible) validation ‘benchmark problems,’ that progressed from simple to more cases. The following benchmark problems were investigated: (a) effective Seebeck effect in thermocouple, (b) Peltier heating cooling single interface between two with different coefficients, (c) coupled heat electrical current transport through an anisotropic material. Excellent agreement prior experimental or results observed cases (b). developed establishes capabilities necessary elucidate workings effects mesoscale level could provide new opportunities improvement operational efficiency nanoengineered composites.