Thermoelectric device having a separate interlayer disposed between a thermoelectric leg and an electrode to reduce the contact resistance therebetween
US11245061B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2019 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N10/80
Abstract
Disclosed is a thermoelectric device in which a separate interlayer is inserted between a thermoelectric leg and an electrode to reduce the contact resistance between the thermoelectric leg and the electrode, so that the interlayer serves as a tunneling path between the thermoelectric leg and the electrode, facilitating the charge movements between the two materials. The thermoelectric device according to an embodiment includes a substrate; at least one thermoelectric leg positioned on the substrate; an interlayer positioned on each thermoelectric leg of the at least one thermoelectric leg and including a plurality of interlayer materials that are chemically bonded with a respective thermoelectric leg; and an electrode positioned on each interlayer and electrically connected to the respective thermoelectric leg, wherein the plurality of interlayer materials of each respective interlayer is arranged in a shape of a brush.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.