Multiphysics Simulation of Thermoelectric Systems - Modeling of Peltier-Cooling and Thermoelectric Generation

M. Jaegle
Fraunhofer-Institute for Physical Measurement-Techniques (IPM), Freiburg, Germany
Published in 2008

Electro-thermal interaction is commonly considered only as a matter of joule heating. In addition, the Seebeck-, Peltier- and Thompson-Effects are significant in materials with high thermoelectric figure of merit Z. These thermoelectric materials have a high Seebeck-coefficient α, a good electric conductivity σ, and a poor thermal conductivity λ. They have widespread areas of application. Thermoelectric systems are used for measurement techniques, for peltier-cooling and direct energy conversion of heat. For an accurate modeling of these applications the thermoelectric field equations have to be solved.

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