Topology optimized thermoelectric generator: a parametric study

Abstract

Abstract Typical thermoelectric generator legs are brittle which limits their application in vibratory and shear environments. Research is conducted to develop compliant thermoelectric generators (TEGs) capable of converting thermal loads to power, while also supporting shear and vibratory loads. Mathematical structural, thermal, and power conversion models are developed. Topology optimization is employed to tailor the TEG design yield maximal power production while sustaining the applied shear and vibratory loads. As a specific example, results are presented for optimized TEG legs with a void volume fraction of 0.2 that achieve compliance shear displacement of 0.0636 (from a range of 0.0504 to 0.6079). In order to achieve the necessary compliance to support the load, the power reduction is reduced by 20% relative to similarly sized void free TEG legs.