Title :
Thermoelectric energy scavenging with temperature gradient amplification
Author :
Mousoulis, C. ; Yoon, C.K. ; Chitnis, G. ; Ziaie, B.
Author_Institution :
Birck Nanotechnol. Center, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN, USA
fDate :
Jan. 29 2012-Feb. 2 2012
Abstract :
In this paper, we demonstrate the application of fluorocarbon evaporative cooling in thermoelectric energy scavenging. The fabrication and performance characterization of a prototype micro-device is presented. The device consists of a thermoelectric generator mounted on a silicon substrate and encapsulated in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) chamber with a flexible cover. By filling the chamber with a fluorocarbon liquid of low boiling point (34°C), we were able to increase the body heat contact harvested energy by 226% compared to a device encapsulated in air. The availability of a variety of fluorocarbon liquids with different boiling points allows this harvesting amplification scheme to be used in a wide range of applications.
Keywords :
encapsulation; energy harvesting; evaporation; gradient methods; microfabrication; micromechanical devices; thermoelectric conversion; thermoelectric cooling; body heat contact harvested energy; chamber filling; device encapsulation; fluorocarbon evaporative cooling application; fluorocarbon liquid; harvesting amplification scheme; performance characterization; poly(dimethylsiloxane) chamber encapsulation; prototype microdevice; silicon substrate; temperature 34 degC; temperature gradient amplification; thermoelectric energy scavenging; thermoelectric generator; Cooling; Energy harvesting; Filling; Generators; Heating; Liquids; Temperature measurement;
Conference_Titel :
Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), 2012 IEEE 25th International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Paris
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-0324-8
DOI :
10.1109/MEMSYS.2012.6170392
