Prototype fabrication and performance evaluation of a thermoelectric module operating with the Nernst effect

The Nernst effect generates a voltage transverse to the temperature gradient in the magnetic field. Although the Nernst effect has the potential to realize novel devices in the field of thermoelectric generators and sensors, thermoelectric modules that operate with the Nernst effect have not yet been implemented. Therefore, in this study, a thermoelectric module utilizing the Nernst effect was developed as a prototype, and its performance was evaluated to identify technical issues. The proposed module is fabricated by arranging four rectangular bars of a BiSb-based sintered alloy on an AlN substrate and connecting all the bars in series with Cu plates. As a result of the measurement, when the magnetic field was 5 T, an output power of 0.48 mW was obtained with a temperature difference of 149 K, and a temperature difference of 82 mK occurred as a cooling operation with an applied electrical current of 100 mA.