High-temperature monolithic SiGe thermoelectric device directly heated by catalytic combustion

There has been a strong demand for portable power sources of mobile devices, which can substitute conventional lithium-ion batteries. In this study, a thermoelectric power generation device integrated with a catalytic combustor was developed in order to overcome limitations of previously proposed combustion-based system, such as low temperature difference and large heat loss. Monolithic SiGe thermoelectric generators (TEGs) with operating temperatures higher than 1100 °C were prepared, and Pd catalyst layers supported by porous alumina films were formed on the high-temperature end of the SiGe TEG device for direct heating obtained by catalytic combustion while minimizing the heat loss. A power generation test bench was developed with three SiGe devices. By using a butane/air mixture, the highest temperature and temperature difference over 1100 °C and 800 °C, respectively, were achieved without deterioration of the power generation performance.