THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising a first rolled up section of one or more layered thermoelectric materials on a first flexible substrate, wherein the first flexible substrate has a width, and wherein the one or more layered thermoelectric materials form a first continuous thermoelement with a first length substantially longer than the width of the first flexible substrate.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
One or more thin-film layers of thermoelectric material are formed on one or both sides of a substrate (e.g., a flexible substrate). In some embodiments, the thin-film layers have features that scatter phonons. A flexible substrate and its attached layers of thermoelectric material can be rolled up and/or arranged in a serpentine configuration for incorporation into a thermoelectric power source. In some embodiments, thin-film layers on one side of a substrate form a single, continuous thermoelectric element. In particular embodiments, one or more thin-film layers are fabricated on a substrate using an arrangement where the substrate is wrapped around a wheel and rotated one or more times past a sputtering device or other device for depositing material.
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Citations
22 Claims
- 1. An apparatus comprising a first rolled up section of one or more layered thermoelectric materials on a first flexible substrate, wherein the first flexible substrate has a width, and wherein the one or more layered thermoelectric materials form a first continuous thermoelement with a first length substantially longer than the width of the first flexible substrate.
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6. A method comprising:
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storing a portion of a flexible substrate in a wrapped configuration; moving the portion of the flexible substrate a first time near an opening configured thermoelectric material in order to provide a first thermoelectric material deposit; and moving the portion of the flexible substrate a second time near the opening in order to provide a second thermoelectric material deposit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a flexible substrate having a width, a length, a first surface and a second surface; and a first plurality of stacked thin-film layers comprising one or more semiconductor thermoelectric materials on the flexible substrate, wherein one or more portions of the plurality of stacked thin-film layers form nanostructures and are configured to scatter phonons. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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- 16. A method comprising forming a plurality of stacked thin-film layers of one or more semiconductor thermoelectric materials on a flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate has a width, and wherein the one or more layered thermoelectric materials form a continuous thermoelement with a length substantially longer than the width of the flexible substrate.
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22. A thermoelectric power source comprising:
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a p-type thermoelectric element comprising a first rolled up section of one or more layered sputter-deposited thermoelectric materials on a first flexible substrate, wherein the one or more layered thermoelectric materials form a continuous p-type thermoelement with a first length substantially longer than the width of the first flexible substrate; an n-type thermoelectric element comprising a second rolled up section of one or more layered sputter-deposited thermoelectric materials on a second flexible substrate, wherein the one or more layered thermoelectric materials form a continuous p-type thermoelement with a second length substantially longer than the width of the second flexible substrate; a first thermally conductive plate thermally coupled to the p-type thermoelectric element and the n-type thermoelectric element; a second thermally conductive plate thermally coupled to the p-type thermoelectric element and the n-type thermoelectric element; a first electrical lead electrically coupled to the p-type thermoelectric element; and a second electrical lead electrically coupled to the n-type thermoelectric element.
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Specification