Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion material represented by the following chemical formula Mg3+mAaBbD2-eEe. The element A represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba and Yb. The element B represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Mn and Zn. The value of m is not less than ?0.39 and not more than 0.42. The value of a is not less than 0 and not more than 0.12. The value of b is not less than 0 and not more than 0.48. The element D represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Sb and Bi. The element E represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Se and Te. The value of e is not less than 0.001 and not more than 0.06. The thermoelectric conversion material has a La2O3 crystalline structure. The thermoelectric conversion material is of n-type. The present invention provides a novel thermoelectric conversion material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator unit according to this disclosure includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators, each of which generates electromotive force based on a difference in temperature between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces. The unit further includes a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical connection for the generators and a container housing the generators inside. The container includes a shell surrounding the generators and a pair of plates, at least one of which has a plurality of openings and channels. Each channel houses an electrically conductive member. The generators are electrically connected together in series via the electrically conductive member. At least one of the channels has an interconnection which connects at least two of the openings together and a testing hole portion. The testing hole portion runs from the interconnection through an outer edge of the at least one plate.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a plate-like stage plate having a spread in a first direction and a second direction intersecting with the first direction and a plate member having a linear expansion coefficient different from that of the stage plate. The stage apparatus includes: a first holding unit configured to hold the plate member on the stage plate; a second holding unit configured to hold the plate member on the stage plate, allow relative deformation caused between the stage plate and the plate member in the first direction, and constrain the relative deformation in the second direction; and a third holding unit configured to hold the plate member on the stage plate, constrain the deformation in the first direction, and allow the deformation in the second direction.

Abstract: A terahertz electromagnetic wave generator according to the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a thermoelectric material layer which is supported by the substrate and which has a surface; and a pulsed laser light source system which locally heats the thermoelectric material layer with an edge of the surface of the thermoelectric material layer irradiated with pulsed light, thereby generating a terahertz electromagnetic wave from the thermoelectric material layer.

Abstract: A plurality of first cup-shaped members and a plurality of second cup-shaped members are placed alternately in repetition to form a pipe having an inner through-hole. At this point, neither the first cup-shaped members nor the second cup-shaped members are sintered yet. Then, the resultant pipe is sintered to obtain a pipe-shaped thermal power generation device. While the pipe is sintered, a pressure is applied to the pipe along a longitudinal direction of the pipe in a direction in which the pipe is compressed.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation unit according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes. Each thermoelectric generation tube generates an electromotive force in an axial direction based on a temperature difference between its inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface. The thermoelectric generation unit includes a container housing the plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes inside, a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes, and a plurality of electrically conductive ring members each receiving an end of a thermoelectric generation tube so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric generation tube. Each electrically conductive ring member electrically connects the thermoelectric generation tube to a corresponding electrically conductive member.

Abstract: An exemplary thermoelectric generator disclosed herein includes: a first electrode and a second electrode opposing each other; and a stacked body having a first end face and a second end face. The stacked body is structured so that first layers made of a first material and second layers made of a second material are alternately stacked, the first material containing a metal and particles having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the metal, the particles being dispersed in the metal, and the second material having a higher Seebeck coefficient and a lower thermal conductivity than those of the first material. Planes of stacking between the first layers and the second layers are inclined with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a new method for polarizing an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of not less than 0.1 THz and not more than 0.8 THz using a polarizer. The method comprises: a step (a) of preparing the polarizer; wherein the polarizer comprises a sapphire single crystalline layer and a CaxCoO2 crystalline layer, the CaxCoO2 crystalline layer is stacked on the sapphire single crystalline layer, a surface of the CaxCoO2 crystalline layer has a (010) surface orientation, and the CaxCoO2 crystalline layer has a thickness of not less than 2 micrometers and not more than 20 micrometers; and a step (b) of irradiating the polarizer with the electromagnetic wave having a frequency of not less than 0.1 THz and not more than 0.8 THz to output an output wave having only a component parallel to a c-axis direction of the sapphire single crystalline layer.

Abstract: A terahertz electromagnetic wave generator according to the present disclosure includes: a thermoelectric material layer; a metal layer which partially covers the surface of the thermoelectric material layer; and a light source system which is configured to irradiate both a surface region of the thermoelectric material layer that is not covered with the metal layer and an edge of the metal layer with pulsed light, thereby generating a terahertz wave from the thermoelectric material layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular thermoelectric generation device, comprising: a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes. Each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member. Each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation unit according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes. Each thermoelectric generation tube generates an electromotive force in an axial direction based on a temperature difference between its inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface. The thermoelectric generation unit includes a container housing the plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes inside, a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes, and a plurality of electrically conductive ring members each receiving an end of a thermoelectric generation tube so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric generation tube. Each electrically conductive ring member electrically connects the thermoelectric generation tube to a corresponding electrically conductive member.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion material expressed by a chemical formula X3T3-yT?ySb4 (0.025?y?0.5), wherein the X includes one or more elements selected from Zr and Hf, the T includes one or more elements selected from Ni, Pd, and Pt, while including at least Ni, and the T? includes one or more elements selected from Co, Rh, and Ir.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation unit according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes. Each tube has a flow path defined by its inner peripheral surface, and generates an electromotive force in an axial direction based on a temperature difference between its inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface. The thermoelectric generation unit includes a container housing the tubes inside, and a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the tubes. The container includes a shell surrounding the tubes and a pair of plates being fixed to the shell and having a plurality of openings, with channels being formed so as to house the electrically conductive members and interconnect at least two of the openings. The respective ends of the tubes are inserted in the openings of the plates. The tubes are connected electrically in series by the electrically conductive members housed in the channels.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion material expressed by a chemical formula X3T3Z4 (X comprises one or more elements selected from Zr, Hf, Y, La, Nb, and Ta, while including at least Zr or Hf; T comprises one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, while including at least Ni; Z comprises one or more elements selected from Sb, Ge, and Sn, while including at least Sb), the method comprising: preparing materials containing elements, which are the X including selected elements, the T including selected elements, and the Z including selected elements; forming an alloy A by melting the materials containing the all selected elements except for Sb; and forming an alloy B by melting the alloy A and the material containing Sb.

Abstract: The thermoelectric generator disclosed herein includes: a first and second electrode opposing each other; and a stacked body having a first and second principal face and a first and second end face, the first and second end face being located between the first and second principal face, and the first and second electrode being respectively electrically connected to the first and second end face. The stacked body is structured so that a plurality of first layers of a first material having a relatively low Seebeck coefficient and a relatively high thermal conductivity and a plurality of second layers of a second material having a relatively high Seebeck coefficient and a relatively low thermal conductivity are alternately stacked. The stacked body includes a carbon containing layer in at least one of the first and second principal face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular thermoelectric generation device, comprising: a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes. Each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member. Each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member.

Abstract: An n-type thermoelectric conversion material expressed in a chemical formula X3-xX?xT3-yCuySb4 (0?x<3, 0?y<3.0, and x+y>0), the X includes one or more element(s) of Zr and Hf, the X? includes one or more element(s) of Nb and Ta, and the T includes one or more element(s) selected from Ni, Pd, and Pt, while including at least Ni, the n-type thermoelectric conversion material expressed in the chemical formula X3-xX?xT3-yCuySb4 has symmetry of a cubic crystal belonging to a space group I-43d.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation system of the present disclosure includes first and second thermoelectric power generation units. Each of the thermoelectric power generation units includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators. The thermoelectric power generation units comprises a vessel in which the tubular thermoelectric generator is accommodated and a breakdown determination unit. The vessel includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an opening. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are used to cause a fluid to flow in the vessel. The tubular thermoelectric generator is inserted in the opening. The breakdown determination unit that determines whether the thermal power generation unit breaks down based on power generation efficiency that is obtained using a temperature difference between the fluid inflowing from the fluid inlet and the fluid discharging from the fluid outlet and the electromotive force generated by the tubular thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation system of the present disclosure includes first and second thermoelectric power generation units. Each of the thermoelectric power generation units includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators. The first and second thermoelectric power generation units are electrically connected to each other such that a first impedance caused by the tubular thermoelectric generator included in the first thermoelectric power generation unit is matched with a second impedance caused by the tubular thermoelectric generator included in the second thermoelectric power generation unit.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system according to the present disclosure includes first and second thermoelectric generator units, each including tubular thermoelectric generators. Each of the generators has a flow path defined by its inner peripheral surface, and generates electromotive force in an axial direction thereof based on a temperature difference between its inner and outer peripheral surfaces. Each unit further includes: a container housing the generators inside; and electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the generators. The container has fluid inlet and outlet ports through which a fluid flows inside, and openings into which the generators are inserted. A buffer vessel is arranged between the first and second units, and has a first opening communicating with the flow paths of the generators in the first unit and a second opening communicating with the flow paths of the generators in the second unit.