摘要 |
The present invention relates to a thermoelement for use in thermoelectric energy converters for power generation as well as cooling applications. The thermoelement includes a thermoelectric layer with a first side and a second side. Further, the thermoelement includes a first high power factor electrode and a second high power factor electrode. The first high power factor electrode is thermally and electrically attached to the first side of the thermoelectric layer and the second high power factor electrode is thermally and electrically attached to the second side of the thermoelectric layer. Furthermore, the thermoelement includes a plurality of metal layers. The plurality of metal layers are attached to the first high power factor electrode and the second high power factor electrode. In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermoelement comprises a plurality of micro thermoelements that are configured to reduce thermal density at the electrodes. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermoelectric layer is hemispherical in shape, wherein the hemispherical thermoelectric layer is deposited in an etched metal layer. |