Thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting, which converts available thermal resources into electrical energy, is attracting significant attention, as it facilitates wireless and self-powered electronics. Recently, as demand for portable/wearable electronic devices and sensors increases, organic-inorganic TE films with polymeric matrix are being studied to realize flexible thermoelectric energy harvesters (f-TEHs). Here, we developed flexible organic-inorganic TE films with p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 powder and polymeric matrices such as poly(3,4-eethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The fabricated TE films with a PEDOT:PSS matrix and 1 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) exhibited a power factor value of 3.96 μW ‧ m-1 ‧ K-2 which is about 2.8 times higher than that of PVDF-based TE film. We also fabricated f-TEHs using both types of TE films and investigated the TE output performance. The f-TEH made of PEDOT:PSS-based TE films harvested the maximum load voltage of 3.4 mV, with a load current of 17.4 μA, and output power of 15.7 nW at a temperature difference of 25 K, whereas the f-TEH with PVDF-based TE films generated values of 0.6 mV, 3.3 μA, and 0.54 nW. This study will broaden the fields of the research on methods to improve TE efficiency and the development of flexible organic-inorganic TE films and f-TEH.

In this study, we developed a thermoelectric generation system for coastal fishing boats that allows for a high-density arrangement of thermoelectric modules, verified the improvement in performance by conducting comparative analysis between field test results and results from previous studies. The developed thermoelectric generation system was installed in a 3-ton gill-netter to analyze the engine revolutions per minute and energy production per day for each fishing process over a period of 20 days. From the experimental results, the maximum electric energy generated was 207.1 Wh, the minimum was 53.93 Wh and the average electric energy was 129.98 Wh. In accordance with the increasing of the engine r.p.m., the maximum electric production was 183 W at 1,500 r.p.m. It was approximately 80.5% of designed capacity, 227.2 W. Considering the result in the earlier research was 50.7% of designed capacity, 115.8 W. It was improved by 30% compared to the earlier one. The fishing operation was classified as departure, fishing and arrival. From the result on production analysis of electric energy, the composition of energy was 63% in fishing, 19.5% in departure and 17.5% in arrival. The electric energy production per unit hour was 42.8% in arrival, 32.9% in departure and 24.3% in fishing.

The renewable energy sources can be thought of one of the major measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the industries. However, the utilization technology for those sources is approaching in the different matters. One of them, thermoelectric generation might be applicable to fishing industry. A various of internal combustion engines are used in a wide range of fisheries. After the ignition process, the heat passed out from the exhaust outlet. Recycling the heat could be not only an energy source but also reduction of green gas emission. Therefore, this study was designed to verify the feasibility of generation from wasted exhaust gas and analyze the performance. The designed experiment devices were connected with a data logger and an electric loader to quantify the currency and voltage. The devices were installed in a coastal fishing vessel for a gillnet fishery. During the whole fishing trips, the amount of generation was measured by engine rpm and the fishing operation procedures including vessel operations. At the maximum 1,500 rpm in the practical range, the generation amount was 113.6 W. The amount difference in relation to connection method was within 5 W: serial connection was 111.4 W and parallel connection was 115.8 W.

A thin film thermoelectric generator that consisted of 5 p/n pairs was fabricated with 1 μm-thick n-type In3Sb1Te2 and p-type Ge2Sb2Te5 deposited via radio frequency magnetron sputtering. First, 1 μm-thick GST and IST thin films were deposited at 250 oC and room temperature, respectively, via radio-frequency sputtering; these films were annealed from 250 to 450 oC via rapid thermal annealing. The optimal power factor was found at an annealing temperature of 400 oC for 10 min. To demonstrate thermoelectric generation, we measured the output voltage and estimated the maximum power of the n-IST/ p-GST generator by imposing a temperature difference between the hot and cold junctions. The maximum output voltage and the estimated maximum power of the 1 μm-thick n-IST/p-GST TE generators are approximately 17.1 mV and 5.1 nW at ΔT = 12K, respectively.

RTG (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) is a power generation system producing electricity by converting the thermal energy gained from shielding radioisotope. RTG generates power without being charged from outside and as it utilizes radioisotope, RTG mainly serves as an energy source operated for a specific purpose in environment hardly accessible by human. Its design structures vary according to its purpose of operation, thermal source of operation and environment of operation. Since RTG is a power generation system, it should have the highest power efficiency with limited heat source. In this study, heat transfer analysis was implemented to investigate diverse design factors influencing the insulation system of RTG for aerospace use. Design factors considered in this study were silver coating, number of radiation shields inside vacuum insulation and supporter material. As a result, it was found that, depending upon design factors, insulation efficiency increased by 9.3% and finally insulation efficiency of RTG v2.0 was estimated at 84.3%.

해상에서는 UN산하 IMO(International Maritime Organization, 국제해사기구)는 선박에서 배출하는 CO₂량을 2030년까지 30 %까지 줄이는 것을 목표로 설정하고 있다. 본 연구는 이러한 상황에 대응하고 친환경기술의 개발을 목표로 선박용 내연기관에서의 폐열을 이용하는 열전발전시스템 개발에 최종목표를 두고, 본 논문에서는 선박용 열전발전시스템 개발에 앞서 기초 열해석을 실시하고 분석하였다. 그 결과 다음과 같은 열전발전시스템의 효율향상에 관한 유효한 방법을 얻어 낼 수 있었다. 1) 고온측 열원과 모듈간 온도차를 줄여 모듈의 온도차를 늘리는 것으로 열전발전시스템의 효율이 8.917 %로 향상되는 것을 알 수 있었다. 2) 외부부하저항의 변화에 따른 시스템 효율은 약 6 %로 그 변화폭이 크게 발생하지 않는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 3) 동일 계산 조건에서 방형관의 재질이 스테인레스인 경우의 시스템 효율이 8.707 %로 두랄루민(8.605 %), 동(8.607 %)보다 높을 것을 확인할 수 있었다.