Boosting thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance with tandem radiative/evaporative/phase change cooler

Yahui Du; Yuxi Chen; Junwei Liu; Yan Liang; Xueqing Yang; Yuechao Chao; Cheng Wang; Jianjuan Yuan; Wufan Wang; Shuqi Zhang; Haoxuan Liu; Zhihua Zhou; Jinyue Yan

doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109909

Boosting thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance with tandem radiative/evaporative/phase change cooler

Yahui Du
, Yuxi Chen
, Junwei Liu
, Yan Liang
, Xueqing Yang
, Yuechao Chao
, Cheng Wang
, Jianjuan Yuan
, Wufan Wang
, Shuqi Zhang
, Haoxuan Liu
, Zhihua Zhou
, Jinyue Yan

Research output: Journal article publication › Journal article › Academic research › peer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is one of the promising methods to convert low-grade energy into power supply. Considering the benefits of radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and phase change cooling, it is highly desirable to integrate the three cooling methods for the thermal management of TEGs. In this work, a tandem radiation/evaporation/phase change cooler is developed with solar energy as heat source to improve the temperature difference between cold and hot ends, thus enhancing the output power of TEGs. Compared to air coolers and radiative coolers, the designed tandem coolers presented the superior cooling performance for the outdoor thermal management of TECs with a maximum temperature difference of ∼140 °C. With the cooling benefits, the daytime power generation can reach ∼1.75 kJ/m² with an improvement of ∼12.2 % compared to air coolers, indicating the huge potential in supplying power for small portable equipment.

Original language	English
Article number	109909
Journal	Nano Energy
Volume	128
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109909
Publication status	Published - 19 Jun 2024

Keywords

Hydrogel evaporative cooling
Phase change materials
Radiative cooling
Solar harvesting
Thermoelectricity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
General Materials Science
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

More information

10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109909

Cite this

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title = "Boosting thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance with tandem radiative/evaporative/phase change cooler",

abstract = "Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is one of the promising methods to convert low-grade energy into power supply. Considering the benefits of radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and phase change cooling, it is highly desirable to integrate the three cooling methods for the thermal management of TEGs. In this work, a tandem radiation/evaporation/phase change cooler is developed with solar energy as heat source to improve the temperature difference between cold and hot ends, thus enhancing the output power of TEGs. Compared to air coolers and radiative coolers, the designed tandem coolers presented the superior cooling performance for the outdoor thermal management of TECs with a maximum temperature difference of ∼140 °C. With the cooling benefits, the daytime power generation can reach ∼1.75 kJ/m2 with an improvement of ∼12.2 \% compared to air coolers, indicating the huge potential in supplying power for small portable equipment.",

keywords = "Hydrogel evaporative cooling, Phase change materials, Radiative cooling, Solar harvesting, Thermoelectricity",

author = "Yahui Du and Yuxi Chen and Junwei Liu and Yan Liang and Xueqing Yang and Yuechao Chao and Cheng Wang and Jianjuan Yuan and Wufan Wang and Shuqi Zhang and Haoxuan Liu and Zhihua Zhou and Jinyue Yan",

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year = "2024",

month = jun,

day = "19",

doi = "10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109909",

language = "English",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Boosting thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance with tandem radiative/evaporative/phase change cooler

AU - Du, Yahui

AU - Chen, Yuxi

AU - Liu, Junwei

AU - Liang, Yan

AU - Yang, Xueqing

AU - Chao, Yuechao

AU - Wang, Cheng

AU - Yuan, Jianjuan

AU - Wang, Wufan

AU - Zhang, Shuqi

AU - Liu, Haoxuan

AU - Zhou, Zhihua

AU - Yan, Jinyue

PY - 2024/6/19

Y1 - 2024/6/19

N2 - Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is one of the promising methods to convert low-grade energy into power supply. Considering the benefits of radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and phase change cooling, it is highly desirable to integrate the three cooling methods for the thermal management of TEGs. In this work, a tandem radiation/evaporation/phase change cooler is developed with solar energy as heat source to improve the temperature difference between cold and hot ends, thus enhancing the output power of TEGs. Compared to air coolers and radiative coolers, the designed tandem coolers presented the superior cooling performance for the outdoor thermal management of TECs with a maximum temperature difference of ∼140 °C. With the cooling benefits, the daytime power generation can reach ∼1.75 kJ/m2 with an improvement of ∼12.2 % compared to air coolers, indicating the huge potential in supplying power for small portable equipment.

AB - Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is one of the promising methods to convert low-grade energy into power supply. Considering the benefits of radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and phase change cooling, it is highly desirable to integrate the three cooling methods for the thermal management of TEGs. In this work, a tandem radiation/evaporation/phase change cooler is developed with solar energy as heat source to improve the temperature difference between cold and hot ends, thus enhancing the output power of TEGs. Compared to air coolers and radiative coolers, the designed tandem coolers presented the superior cooling performance for the outdoor thermal management of TECs with a maximum temperature difference of ∼140 °C. With the cooling benefits, the daytime power generation can reach ∼1.75 kJ/m2 with an improvement of ∼12.2 % compared to air coolers, indicating the huge potential in supplying power for small portable equipment.

KW - Hydrogel evaporative cooling

KW - Phase change materials

KW - Radiative cooling

KW - Solar harvesting

KW - Thermoelectricity

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85196955546

U2 - 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109909

DO - 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109909

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85196955546

SN - 2211-2855

VL - 128

JO - Nano Energy

JF - Nano Energy

M1 - 109909

ER -

Boosting thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance with tandem radiative/evaporative/phase change cooler

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

More information

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