Media.Player

Multi-stage, Integrated Solar Thermoelectric Generator (TEG)

Technology Benefits

Significant increase in efficiencyEasily implemented and cost-cutting industrial-scale application

Technology Application

Sustainable and renewable electrical power generationHybrid-solar cell/photovoltaic (PV) electrical power generation

Detailed Technology Description

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz have developed a Solar TEG device addressing the major disadvantages of conventional TEG systems. The Solar TEG device monolithically integrates multiple thermoelectric converters onto a sunlight absorber, demonstrating maximum efficiency across a broad range of temperatures. The technology has been designed to remove waste-heat from electrical power generating systems, significantly reducing costs by doing away with instillation of extended pipelines and large cooling surface areas.

Application No.

20180047887

Others

State Of Development

•  Constructed for industrial-scale waste-heat extraction

Related Technologies

• Nanowires for Thermoelectric Devices

Additional Technologies by these Inventors

• Nanowires for Thermoelectric Devices
• Thin Film Deposition System: Simultaneous Physical and Chemical Vapor Deposition

Tech ID/UC Case

24896/2015-529-0

Related Cases

2015-529-0, 2011-838-0

*Abstract

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are solid-state heat engines consisting of semiconductors that convert heat into electricity. Solar TEG modules are typically coupled with optics that concentrate sunlight and create steady-state temperature gradients. Solar TEGs manifest inherent limitations in efficiency and large-scale integration due to their narrow temperature-performance range and complex light-absorbing architecture. 

*IP Issue Date

Feb 15, 2018

*Principal Investigator

Name: Nobuhiko Kobayashi

Department:

Name: Kate Norris

Department:

Country/Region

USA