Power generation from thermoelectric system-embedded Plexiglas for green building technology

Abstract

CitationInayat SB, Hussain MM (2013) Abstract Thermoelectric materials embedded through or inside exterior glass windows can act as a viable source of supplemental power in geographic locations where hot weather dominates. This thermoelectricity is generated because of the thermal difference between the high temperature outside and the relatively cold temperature inside. Using physical vapor deposition process, we experimentally verify this concept by embedding bismuth telluride and antimony telluride through the 5 mm Plexiglas to demonstrate 10 nW of thermopower generation with a temperature gradient of 21°C. Albeit tiny at this point with non-optimized design and development, this concept can be extended for relatively large-scale power generation as an additional power supply for green building technology.

A systematic review of structures, and geometries of the thermoelectric generators

“…These structures. The legs or TE materials are laid laterally where the flow of heat is through the legs laterally, or vertically placed with the heat flow from bottom to top or vice versa as shown in Figure 3a,b [13]. Snyder et al [19] built a micro thermoelectric device with a vertical structure using 126 p‐type and n‐type (Bi, Sb) 2 Te 3 TE legs of dimensions 20 µm in height and 60 µm in diameter interconnected with bridging metals.…”

“…(a) Lateral structure and (b) Vertical structure of conventional thermoelectric generator, Reproduced with permission [13]. Copyright © 2013, Springer, (c) Typical TEG structure, Reproduced with permission [14].…”