Micropower Global Limited

Aruna R Dedigama

Thomas E Zirkle

Cameron N Paiga

Alan H Henderson

Adam G Westerman

A thermoelectric element can comprise a thermoelectric body, a first contact, and a second contact structure, wherein the first and/or second contact structure can comprise at least one porous metal structure embedded within an outer region of the thermoelectric body, and at least one metal layer overlying the outer region of the thermoelectric body and being in direct contact with the embedded porous metal structure. A method of making the thermoelectric element can include embedding the at least one porous metal structure within the outer region of the thermoelectric body by induction heating, followed by electroplating of the at least one metal layer.

Induction heating system

An induction heating system can comprise a furnace chamber comprising a non-magnetic and non-conductive furnace wall; at least one induction heating coil surrounding an outer side of the furnace wall in a length direction (z) of the furnace chamber; and a holding and pressing construction. The holding and pressing construction can be designed to hold an arrangement to be placed within the furnace chamber, and the holding and pressing construction can apply a pressure on a proximal end and a distal end of the arrangement in the length direction of the chamber.

Thermoelectric element comprising a contact structure and method of making the contact structure

A thermoelectric device can comprise at least one first thermoelectric element, at least one second thermoelectric element, and a bridging structure. The bridging structure can include a bridging layer comprising a silver-gallium alloy. The silver-gallium alloy containing a bridging layer can provide flexibility and stress release to the thermoelectric device when subjected to multiple heating cycles, and may have a very low electrical resistance and thermal resistance.

Thermoelectric device

A thermoelectric element can comprise a thermoelectric body and a multi-layer contact structure. The multi-layer contact structure can contain a first metal layer overlying a surface of the thermoelectric body and a second metal layer directly overlying the first metal layer, wherein the first metal layer and the second metal layer include the same metal, and the first metal layer has a different phase than the second metal layer.

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San Marcos, TX, United States of America

Aruna R Dedigama