Thermoelectric generator including nanofibers

摘要

Continuous ceramic (e.g., silicon carbide) nanofibers (502, 602, 604, 606, 608, 702, 704, 1102, 1104) which are optionally p or n type doped are manufactured by electrospinning a polymeric ceramic precursor to produce fine strands of polymeric ceramic precursor which are then pyrolized. The ceramic nanofibers may be used in a variety of applications not limited to reinforced composite materials (400), thermoelectric generators (600, 700) and high temperature particulate filters (1200).

主权项

1. A thermoelectric generator comprising: a heat source contact; a heat sink; a mat of continuous, freestanding, pyrolized, electrospun p type doped nanofibers thermally coupled to said heat source contact and said heat sink; a mat of continuous, freestanding, pyrolized, electrospun n type doped nanofiber thermally coupled to said heat source contact and said heat sink; and a coupling electrode coupling said mat of continuous, freestanding, pyrolized, electrospun p type doped nanofibers and said mat of continuous, freestanding, pyrolized, electrospun n type doped nanofibers, wherein said p type doped nanofibers consist of thermoelectric ceramic material and said n type doped nanofibers consist of thermoelectric ceramic material.