High-temperature thermoelectric power generation module of layered oxides improved by multistage structure with Bi-Te module

A novel multistage module of layered oxides combined with Bi-Te module has been developed for high-temperature thermoelectric power generation. For the oxides module, we used highly-textured [Ca/sub 2/CoO/sub 3/]O/sub 0.62/[CoO/sub 2/] (p-type) and Ca-doped (ZnO)/sub 3/In/sub 2/O/sub 3/ (n-type) ceramics. We employed a bridge-type thermoelectric module using 10 p-n pairs of the layered oxides. In addition, we connected the oxides module to Bi-Te modules at its both sides to improve performance. The module typically gave temperature differences of 415 K and 60 K for the oxides and Bi-Te modules, respectively, with an exposure of the alcohol lamp. The maximum output power and power density were 704 mW and 440 mW/cm/sup 2/. The stability without any passivation provided a practical demonstration for high-temperature thermoelectric applications.