IEC 62830-5-2021 pdf Semiconductor devices – Semiconductor devices for energy harvesting and generation – Part 5: Test method for measuring generated power from flexible thermoelectric devices

4 Testing method 4.1 General experimental apparatus The general principle for the test set-up to measure the amount of power generation from thermoelectric devices, especially focusing on flexible thermoelectric devices, is described. In general, the thermoelectric device generates electric energy due to the temperature difference between one surface of the device and the other surface. Hence, in order to characterize the performance of the device, the temperature of both the cooling and heating sides in an experimental set-up should be maintained consistently. The general schematic diagram of the thermoelectric device, including the experimental set-up to measure the generated power, is illustrated in Figure 1. An explanation about the commonly used formulas related to the thermoelectric device and the experimental set-up is also included. The basic principle of the measurement method for both rigid and flexible devices is the same but the experimental apparatus can be different due to the flexibility of the flexible thermoelectric device. In order to use the advantage of a flexible thermoelectric device as well as to investigate its limitations, the performance of the flexible thermoelectric device should be determined under the bending condition.
4.2 Application to flexible thermoelectric devices Subclause 4.2 gives the detailed experimental apparatus for measuring the generated power in a thermoelectric device. It focuses on the detailed experimental apparatus for measuring the generated power from flexible thermoelectric devices under the bending condition. In the case of flexible thermoelectric devices, the main focus for the measurement is the generated power under the bending condition. For this purpose, an experimental apparatus to determine the generated power is illustrated in Figure 2 as an example. As shown in Figure 2, an experimental apparatus enabling power measurement under the bending condition should be used in the case of a flexible device. For the cooling side, cooling water, a pump, and controller are used to maintain the temperature which is set to the cooling side. Electrical heating with resistance is used to maintain the temperature of the heating side. However, the method for cooling and heating can be employed according to the sample size and temperature range.