Multifunctional composite magnet realizing record-high transverse thermoelectric generation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel composite magnet capable of high-efficiency transverse thermoelectric energy conversion, combining permanent magnet properties with record-high thermoelectric performance for energy harvesting and thermal management.

Contribution

The development of a multifunctional composite magnet with optimized anisotropic multilayer structure achieving record-high transverse thermoelectric performance at room temperature.

Findings

Achieved a figure of merit $z_{xy}T$ of 0.20 close to the ideal value.

Generated 204 mW maximum power at 152 K temperature difference.

Record-high power density among transverse thermoelectric modules.

Abstract

Permanent magnets are used in various products and essential for human society. If omnipresent permanent magnets could directly convert heat into electricity, they would lead to innovative energy harvesting and thermal management technologies. However, achieving such "multifunctionality" has been difficult due to poor thermoelectric performance of conventional magnets. In this work, we develop a multifunctional composite magnet (MCM) that enables giant transverse thermoelectric conversion while possessing permanent magnet features. MCM comprising alternately and obliquely stacked SmCo$_{5}$/Bi$_{0.2}$Sb$_{1.8}$Te$_{3}$ multilayers exhibits an excellent transverse thermoelectric performance at room temperature by optimizing its anisotropic structure. Owing to the extremely low interfacial electrical and thermal resistivities, the experimentally determined figure of merit $z_{\rm xy}T$ reaches 0.20 close to the analytically calculated ideal value. The MCM-based thermopile module generates 204 mW in maximum at a temperature difference of 152 K, whose power density normalized by heat transfer area and temperature gradient is not only record-high among transverse thermoelectric modules but also comparable to that of commercial thermoelectric modules utilizing the Seebeck effect. The multifunctionality of our MCM provides unprecedented opportunities for energy harvesting and thermal management everywhere permanent magnets are currently used.