Three Optima of Thermoelectric Conversion: Insights from the Constant Property Model.

Area of Science:

• Thermoelectric energy conversion
• Thermodynamics
• Biologically inspired optimization

Background:

• Ioffe's model provides a foundation for thermoelectric converter analysis.
• Biological systems offer insights into optimizing energy conversion processes.
• Understanding optimal working points is crucial for efficient energy harvesting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To derive optimal working points for thermoelectric converters based on Ioffe's model.
• To introduce and compute a novel optimal point related to the cost of energy (COE).
• To explore the symmetry between electric generator and heat pump modes of thermoelectric devices.

Main Methods:

• Recalculating Ioffe's optimal points for maximum efficiency and power.
• Defining and computing a third optimal point using a cost of energy function.
• Analyzing the relationship between efficiency and performance coefficient in generator and heat pump modes.

Main Results:

• Identified optimal points for maximum efficiency and maximum power.
• Computed a new optimal point based on the cost of energy (COE).
• Demonstrated symmetry between generator and heat pump operational modes and their optimal points.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive understanding of thermoelectric converter optimization.
• A new cost of energy metric offers an alternative perspective for device optimization.
• Symmetries revealed enhance the theoretical framework for thermoelectric devices.