Development of multilayer thermoelectric modules based on bismuth telluride semiconductor

One of the ways to increase the efficiency of thermoelectric generator modules (TE) is the use of multilayer TE dices composed of materials with maximum efficiency for various operating temperature intervals of the module. When creating multilayered dices, it is proposed to use the connection of separate sections (slice) by sintering the ultrafine powder of the silver. The powder is applied to the metallized surface of the slice of TE materials. A sandwich-type washer structure is formed, from which the dice of the TE module are then cut out. The resulting separation bound-ary between adjacent sections demonstrates high density (about 80% of bulk silver), good electrical and thermal conductivity (about 50% of bulk silver). The values of the tensile strength of multilayered dices are: 20 $\pm$ 8 MPa for p-type and 28 $\pm$ 10 MPa for $n$-type. The efficiency and cyclic reliability of samples of generator modules with multilayered TE dices were investigated. The studied module samples demonstrate a 10–12% increase in generation efficiency and higher cyclic reliability.