Comment on "Effective thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials"

TL;DR

This paper critiques a recent model for thermoelectric generator optimization, arguing that it is incomplete and based on flawed assumptions, thus questioning its validity.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis highlighting the inaccuracies and limitations of the proposed thermoelectric model by Baranowski et al.

Findings

The model is incomplete and oversimplified.

The assumptions are based on thermoelectric compatibility theory.

The results are misleading and potentially incorrect.

Abstract

In a recent article, Baranowski et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 113, 204904 (2013)] proposed a model that allegedly facilitates optimization of thermoelectric generators operation as these latter are in contact with hot and cold temperature baths through finite conductance heat exchangers. In this Comment, we argue that the results and analyses presented by these authors are misleading since their model is incomplete and rests on an inappropriate assumption derived from thermoelectric compatibility theory.