Optimal design of thermoelectric and mechanical performances of flexible thermoelectric generators under thermomechanical coupling

IF 5.1 3区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Pub Date : 2025-02-22 DOI:10.1016/j.tsep.2025.103444

Shifa Fan , Alireza Rezaniakolaei

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Wearable flexible thermoelectric generators (FTEGs) offer promising potential as a low-maintenance power source for wearable technology. However, current designs frequently overlook the vital aspect of thermomechanical coupling, particularly concerning mechanical performance. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization framework utilizing the NSGA-II algorithm and TOPSIS technique to enhance both thermoelectric and mechanical performances of FTEGs. Firstly, the output power and voltage of the FTEGs are optimized by NSGA-II algorithm. Then the resulting Pareto solution and associated structural parameters are utilized to simulate the mechanical behavior of the FTEG under thermal and bending loads. The findings reveal that increasing the number of thermocouples can significantly reduce the stress level of the device, thus improving its mechanical reliability. Subsequently, FTEGs with excellent thermoelectric and mechanical performances are selected using the TOPSIS method with different weight coefficients. When maximizing thermoelectric output is given priority, the optimized FTEG achieves an output power of 0.879 W, representing an 89.5 % improvement over previous devices. Additionally, based on the weight coefficient (1/3, 1/3, 1/3), the optimized FTEG demonstrates a bending radius of 6 mm and a stress level of 74.5 MPa, which significantly lower than the yielding stress of Bi₂Te₃. These results are expected to significantly impact the optimal design and implementation of wearable FTEGs.

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来源期刊

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

327

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (TSEP) publishes original, high-quality research articles that span activities ranging from fundamental scientific research and discussion of the more controversial thermodynamic theories, to developments in thermal engineering that are in many instances examples of the way scientists and engineers are addressing the challenges facing a growing population – smart cities and global warming – maximising thermodynamic efficiencies and minimising all heat losses. It is intended that these will be of current relevance and interest to industry, academia and other practitioners. It is evident that many specialised journals in thermal and, to some extent, in fluid disciplines tend to focus on topics that can be classified as fundamental in nature, or are ‘applied’ and near-market. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress will bridge the gap between these two areas, allowing authors to make an easy choice, should they or a journal editor feel that their papers are ‘out of scope’ when considering other journals. The range of topics covered by Thermal Science and Engineering Progress addresses the rapid rate of development being made in thermal transfer processes as they affect traditional fields, and important growth in the topical research areas of aerospace, thermal biological and medical systems, electronics and nano-technologies, renewable energy systems, food production (including agriculture), and the need to minimise man-made thermal impacts on climate change. Review articles on appropriate topics for TSEP are encouraged, although until TSEP is fully established, these will be limited in number. Before submitting such articles, please contact one of the Editors, or a member of the Editorial Advisory Board with an outline of your proposal and your expertise in the area of your review.