Distributed Control to Improve Performance of Thermoelectric Coolers

Abstract

Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) have become potential solutions for chip cooling applications. However, the scope of TEC applicability is limited because of poor efficiency that is largely governed by material properties. This low efficiency causes increased heat production resulting in a very narrow band in which the TEC is effective. Since TECs are cooling units composed of numerous individual cooling elements, or thermocouples, the operating efficiency can be improved by implementing distributed control of the individual couples. Distributed control is a system for allowing each couple to be powered depending on the localized heat load. Distributed control would allow for increased cooling in hot spots while minimizing excess heat generated by the TEC in areas where it is not needed. The preliminary results suggest that this type of control may be feasible, and would result in a significant increase in the TEC effectiveness. The current model considers lateral heat conduction in the chip, as well as variable control of the individual thermocouples proportional to heat load. Results indicate that a 2-fold increase in COP is possible with independently controlled couples compared to a single cooler.

Enabling High Quality Factor and Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance in BiBr3-Doped Sn0.93Mn0.1Te via Band Convergence and Band Sharpening

“…Thermoelectric (TE) material has captured extensive interest from the research community to solve the energy crisis and environmental pollution because it can directly and reversely convert heat into electricity. − The energy conversion of TE material depends on a dimensionless figure of merit ZT = S 2 σ T /( κ L + κ e ), where S , σ , T , κ L , and κ e represent the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical conductivity, the absolute temperature in Kelvin, the lattice thermal conductivity and the electrical thermal conductivity, respectively. − To realize high TE performance, extensive efforts have been devoted to obtaining a high power factor (PF = S 2 σ ) and a low total thermal conductivity (κ tot = κ L + κ e ). In addition to pursuing high TE performance, the efforts should be committed to developing environmentally friendly TE materials considering the increasing environmental pollution around the world.…”

Enhancing Performance of Thermoelectric Coolers Through the Application of Distributed Control

“…Previous research has shown the potential of increased effectiveness by separately controlling individual thermocouples or groups of thermocouples in TECs [12], [23]. Another major benefit of distributed control is that it may be applied concurrently with other technological advances.…”