Extraction of Temperature Dependent Parameters for an Electrothermal Model of Thermoelectric Energy Harvester

P. Dziurdzia, P. Bratek, I. Brzozowski, W. Gelmuda, J. Ostrowski, A. Kos (AGH Univ. of Science and Techn., Poland)

A method and procedures have been developed for extraction of temperature dependent parameters of a thermoelectric energy harvester. Temperature functions of Seebeck coefficient S, electrical resistance R, and thermal conductance K were carried out. They are all indispensable for accurate simulation of complex electro-thermal processes associated with conversion of small pieces of free heat energy. The paper discusses the modelling of a single tiny thermoelectric generator with high-density pellets placement. It is intended to be used as a single building block in a wearable thermoelectric matrix for harvesting and conversion of human warmth to electricity.