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arXiv · 1605.06243

Thermoelectric Energy Conversion: How Good Can Silicon Be?

M. Haras·V. Lacatena·F. Morini·J. -F. Robillard·S. Monfray·T. Skotnicki·E. Dubois
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Abstract

Lack of materials which are thermoelectrically efficient and economically attractive is a challenge in thermoelectricity. Silicon could be a good thermoelectric material offering CMOS compatibility, harmlessness and cost reduction but it features a too high thermal conductivity. High harvested power density of 7W/cm2 at deltaT=30K is modeled based on a thin-film lateral architecture of thermo-converter that takes advantage of confinement effects to reduce the thermal conductivity. The simulation leads to the conclusion that 10nm thick Silicon has 10 times higher efficiency than bulk.

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M. Haras, V. Lacatena, F. Morini, J. -F. Robillard, S. Monfray, T. Skotnicki, E. Dubois. 2016-05-20. Thermoelectric Energy Conversion: How Good Can Silicon Be?. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2015.05.012

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