Thin-Film Thermoelectric Conversion Devices for Direct Thermal-to-Electric Conversion for DC and Pulse Power

Abstract

New propulsion technologies are critical to developing new capabilities in Department of Defense platforms. An innovative approach taking nuclear heat and directly generating DC electric power with solid-state thermoelectric devices, without the need for a steam power plant, can lead to reliable and compact systems while offering several system-level advantages. These advanced thermal-to-electric device developments are also applicable to efficient radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for space outer-planetary missions. Similarly, many platforms, and special operations in particular, need very compact (lightweight, small volume) pulse electric power sources with high specific power density in the range of ~1,000 kW/kg and a long shelf life. This article describes progress with fundamental scientific advances relevant to these thermal-to-electric conversion applications leveraging recent advances in nano-engineered thin-film thermoelectric materials.