Relationship between thermoelectric figure of merit and energy conversion efficiency
University of Houston · Massachusetts Institute of Technology · +1 more institution
Abstract
The formula for maximum efficiency (ηmax) of heat conversion into electricity by a thermoelectric device in terms of the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) has been widely used to assess the desirability of thermoelectric materials for devices. Unfortunately, the ηmax values vary greatly depending on how the average ZT values are used, raising questions about the applicability of ZT in the case of a large temperature difference between the hot and cold sides due to the neglect of the temperature dependences of the material properties that affect ZT. To avoid the complex numerical simulation that gives accurate efficiency, we have defined an engineering dimensionless figure of merit (ZT)eng and an engineering…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 16.85
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 36
Authors
5Topics & keywords
- Figure of merit
- Seebeck coefficient
- Dimensionless quantity
- Thermoelectric effect
- Thermal conductivity
- Energy conversion efficiency
- Materials science
- Thermoelectric materials
- Affordable and clean energy