Thermoelectric-power-generation kit eases power-evaluation tasks
By Margery Conner, Technical Editor -- EDN, December 19, 2008
The eTEG (embedded thermoelectric generator) power-generation-evaluation kit from Nextreme eases designers’ power-evaluation tasks in applications such as energy harvesting. The thin-film eTEG generates power using the Seebeck effect—the conversion of temperature differences directly into electricity in two metals or semiconductors in which a thermal difference produces a voltage across the two. The $295 evaluation kit provides a thick-film heater as a controllable heat source, Nextreme’s eTEG UPF40 power generator module, a heat-sink/fan assembly, and thermocouples for temperature measurement. All you need to provide is a power supply for the heater and a voltmeter to measure the voltage the eTEG generates across a load resistor.
Nextreme claims that eTEG modules produce output power greater than 90 mW at a temperature differential of 70°C and greater than 260 mW at a 120°C difference. Measuring 1.6×3.2 mm, the eTEG module has corresponding output-power densities of approximately 5W/cm2 at 120°C.
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I would LOVE to see some efficiency numbers on this.
How much power is output for a given heater power input?
Of course using 'waste' heat is the intended use.
But keeping the 'cold side' cool will cost a bit also, especially in a 'hot environment'.
These ThermoElectric modules are easily available for $25 or so.
Chuck Britton - 2008-28-12 16:18:00 PST
