All dispenser printed flexible 3D structured thermoelectric generators

[摘要] This work presents a vertically fabricated 3D thermoelectric generator (TEG) by dispenser printing on flexible polyimide substrate. This direct-write technology only involves printing of electrodes, thermoelectric active materials and structure material, which needs no masks to transfer the patterns onto the substrate. The dimension for single thermoelectric element is 2 mm × 2 mm × 0.5 mm while the distance between adjacent cubes is 1.2 mm. The polymer structure layer was used to support the electrodes which are printed to connect the top ends of the thermoelectric material and ensure the flexibility as well. The advantages and the limitations of the dispenser printed 3D TEGs will also be evaluated in this paper. The proposed method is potential to be a low-cost and scalable fabrication solution for TEGs.

[发布机构] Printed Electronics and Materials Lab, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton; SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom^1

[效力级别] 能源学

[关键词] Active material;Direct-write technology;Flexible polyimide substrate;Polymer structure;Structure materials;Thermo-Electric materials;Thermoelectric element;Thermoelectric generators