Title:
Development of New Fabrication Process for Thermoelectric Modules Using Ink-jet Technique

Speaker:
Mikio Koyano (JAIST)

School of Materials Science, Green Devices Research Centre

Abstract:
Thermoelectric (TE) technology provides the direct conversion from heat energy to electric energy using TE device or TE module.  The TE power generation attracts much attention as a power source for IoT devices utilizing waist-heat from human body or other distributed heat sources.  We have to establish more low-cost TE module fabrication process to realize the new application field of TE technique.

In this work, we have fabricated TE modules by using an ink-jet technique which has been using for making fine-size LCD color filters or organic EL devices.  We have developed "thermoelectric ink" by distributing small size particles of p- or n-types Bi-Te into organic solvent.  Planar-type TE modules were produced by ink-jet printing using the p- and n-types thermoelectric inks and metal ink for electrodes.  When we apply temperature difference of 12 K to the ink-jet printed module, the module generates electromotive force of 20 mV.  This voltage is enough to drive a low-power DC-DC converter which is utilized for harvesting low-scale-energy.

The author thank all collaborators and companies of this research project.