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METHOD OF PRODUCING A FLEXIBLE THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE TO HARVEST ENERGY FOR WEARABLE APPLICATIONS

  • US 20190326500A1
  • Filed: 07/03/2019
  • Published: 10/24/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of producing a flexible thermoelectric device comprising:

  • drilling a plurality of P-designated contact holes through a flexible coverlay each corresponding to a P-type conduit of a plurality of P-type conduits directly on top of a lower conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device, and a plurality of N-designated contact holes through the flexible coverlay each corresponding to an N-type conduit of a plurality of N-type conduits directly on top of the lower conduction layer, the flexible coverlay comprising a layer of adhesive under an internal dielectric layer;

    aligning the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits under the flexible coverlay such that the each P-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the P-type conduits and the each N-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the N-type conduits,wherein each P-type conduit is electrically connected to one of the N-type conduits through the lower conduction layer directly above a lower dielectric layer of the flexible thermoelectric device;

    laminating the flexible coverlay on top of the lower conduction layer by pressing the flexible coverlay against the lower conduction layer such that;

    the layer of adhesive deforms and fills a space around the each of the P-type conduits and each of the N-type conduits, andthe flexible coverlay is attached to the lower conduction layer through the layer of adhesive;

    aligning the flexible coverlay under an upper patterned screen, wherein the upper patterned screen comprises a plurality of first areas corresponding to the plurality of P-designated contact holes and the plurality of N-designated contact holes, and a plurality of second areas corresponding to a plurality of upper electrically conductive leads; and

    screen printing an upper conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device on top of and through the flexible coverlay by pressing a conductive paste through the upper patterned screen such that;

    the conductive paste penetrates the each P-designated contact hole to form an electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one P-type conduit,the conductive paste penetrates the each N-designated contact hole to form another electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one N-type conduit, andthe conductive paste at each second area forms an upper electrically conductive lead connecting a pair of electrically conductive contacts,wherein the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits are electrically connected in series.

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