Metal-Metal Thermoelectric Harvester

A 3-couples proof-of-concept harvester (55x6 mm(2)) was assembled by spot welding 0.1 mm thick molybdenum foil and 0.15 mm thick nickel foil together. To insulate the foils from each other at the hot side a 0.1 mm thick glass fiber sheet was placed between the foils. At the cold side the harvester was insulated with 0.1 mm polyimide tape for easier handling and fabrication of the harvester. The load resistance measurement gave impedance match of approximately 0.24 Omega at 28 degrees C, which slowly decreased to approximately 0.1 Omega as the temperature increased to 172 degrees C. With a temperature gradient of 172 degrees C (0-172 degrees C) and 0.125 (+/- 0.025) Omega load resistance, a power output was measured to 450 (+/- 85) mu W at 7.2 mV.