Spatial Equivalent Circuit Model for Simulation of On-Chip Thermoelectric Harvesters

Area of Science:

• Energy Harvesting
• Thermoelectric Devices
• Semiconductor Physics

Background:

• Growing demand for autonomous low-power energy sources.
• Increased interest in thermoelectric harvesters for low-consumption devices.
• Need for accurate and compatible behavioral models for on-chip thermoelectric harvesters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an original method for simulating spatial thermoelectric processes.
• To enable the use of electrical circuit simulation software for thermoelectric modeling.
• To provide engineers with a practical tool for designing voltage converters and energy storage units.

Main Methods:

• Simulation of spatial thermoelectric processes by analogy with the finite difference method.
• Utilizing electrical circuit simulation software for modeling.
• Development of a complete methodology for model construction.

Main Results:

• Successful simulation of one-, two-, and three-dimensional thermoelectric problems.
• Demonstration of macro-problem simulations with external thermal and electrical components (heatsinks, loads).
• Validation of the proposed method's applicability in practical engineering scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method offers a viable alternative to finite element methods for thermoelectric device simulation.
• This approach facilitates the integration of thermoelectric harvester modeling into standard electrical design workflows.
• The methodology supports the development of efficient energy harvesting systems for low-power electronics.