Abstract: A portable power supply according to one or more embodiments includes a combustion device (20) and a heating container (30) that retains an object to be heated, wherein at least a part of a portion of the heating container, the portion being directly heated by the combustion device, is provided with a magnetic metal plate (32) that has spontaneous magnetization and that generates electromotive force due to an anomalous Nernst effect induced by the heating, and wherein electrodes (33a, 33b) for drawing power are provided. Thus, the heating container for generating electricity has a simple configuration, and furthermore the portable power supply is provided with both the heating container and the combustion device.

Abstract: Thermoelectric conversion cells of a thermoelectric conversion element include a thermoelectric conversion layer formed on a main surface of a substrate, an insulating layer covering the thermoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode including a first layer and a second layer, and a second electrode. The first layer connects to the main surface of the thermoelectric conversion layer via a first contact hole, and the second layer covers the first layer. The second electrode connects to the main surface of the thermoelectric conversion layer via a second contact hole. The second layer and the second electrode, and the first layer are formed from materials having different work functions. In thermoelectric conversion cells that are adjacent to each other, the second layer of one of the thermoelectric conversion cells and the second electrode of the other of the thermoelectric conversion cells are formed integrally, and the thermoelectric conversion cells are connected in series.

Abstract: A pressure wave-generating device having a support and a heating element film that is disposed over the support and that is configured to generate heat by energization, and the heating element film has a porous metal structure.

Abstract: A woven structure includes thermoelectric ribbons interwoven with thread. Each thermoelectric ribbon includes a folded matrix of thermoelectric elements, the matrix having an insulating substrate that supports plural rows of thermoelectric elements, a plurality of conductive elements, and two terminals. The conductive elements form a series connection of the thermoelectric elements between the two terminals. A set of first conductive elements have a first temperature and a set of second conductive contacts have a second temperature lower than the first temperature when a first current flows in a first direction between the first matrix terminal and the second matrix terminal. The folded matrix is configured to form spaced-apart alternating stacks of the first conductive contacts and second conductive contacts. Each length of the yard or thread is interwoven such that it passes alternately under stacks of first conductive contacts and over stacks of second conductive contacts.

Abstract: A system for adjusting properties of a seat for a vehicle, may include thermoelement modules configured to have a structure in which a plurality of flexible thermoelements is connected by conductive wires to each other, and mounted in a seat foam pad of the seat; a property adjustment region input unit configured to select a property adjustment region of the seat foam pad; a property adjustment amount input unit configured to input a target property adjustment amount of the seat foam pad; and a controller connected to the thermoelement modules, the property adjustment region input unit and the property adjustment amount input unit, and configured to control an amount of current supplied to some or all of the flexible thermoelements according to output signals from the property adjustment region input unit and the property adjustment amount input unit.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an integrated thermoelectric cooler and methods for forming thereof. The integrated thermoelectric cooler can include a plurality of thermoelectric rods located between the detector substrate and a system interposer. The detector substrate and the system interposer can directly contact ends of the thermoelectric rods. The integrated thermoelectric cooler can be formed by forming the plurality of thermoelectric rods on reels, for example, and the plurality of thermoelectric rods can be thinned down to a certain height. The thermoelectric rods can be transferred and bonded to the system substrate. An overmold can be formed around the plurality of thermoelectric rods. The height of the overmold and thermoelectric rods can be thinned down to another height. The thermoelectric rods can be bonded to the detector substrate. In some examples, the overmold can be removed.

Abstract: A heat dissipation module and an electronic device are provided. The heat dissipation module includes a first heat transfer member, a second heat transfer member, and a cooling element. The first heat transfer member has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The second heat transfer member has a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end. The cooling element disposed between the second end and the third end is configured to allow or block the heat transferring between the second end and the third end.

Abstract: A system for cooling an electronic device applying the Peltier effect includes case, flow guiding device, heat dissipation module, and electronic component needing cooling in specific regions. The case has air inlet and heat outlet enclosing an internal space. The internal space includes cooling and heat exhausting regions. The flow guiding device is disposed around the air inlet to guide cooling medium into the internal space. The heat dissipation module includes a cooling device with hot and cold sides, the heat being exchanged from cold side to hot side. The cold side is coupled to the cooling region, the hot side to the heat exhausting region. The electronic component is coupled to the cooling region. The cooling medium flowing through the cooling region is cooled by the cold side and decreases the overall temperature of the electronic component or specific regions thereof.

Abstract: A heat and shock resistant integrated circuit (IC) of the present invention includes a base material, a metal layer disposed on the base material, a silicon die disposed on the metal layer, additive material disposed on the base material, gas filled filler material disposed between the additive material and the silicon die, and first traces electrically connecting the silicon die to the additive material. Packing of the integrated circuit provides exceptional thermal stress relief and impact protection of circuitry within the packaging.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a thermoelectric element including a first element portion having a first cross-sectional area, a connection portion connected to the first element portion, and a second element portion connected to the connection portion and having a second cross-sectional area, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connection portion is smaller than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: This patent incorporates several new hybrid thermoelectric element and thermoelectric device designs that utilize additional electronic materials to enhance the flow of charges in the thermoelectric elements without changing thermoelectric nature of the thermoelectric material used. The thermoelectric device efficiency is thereby increased and cost and size are lowered. Thermoelectric conversion devices using the new design criteria have demonstrated comparative higher performance than current commercially available standard design thermoelectric conversion devices.

Abstract: A system includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is arranged to be thermally coupled to a first surface and the second plate is arranged to be thermally coupled to an environment. The environment has a temperature that is different than the first surface. The system also includes a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric device includes a third plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements and thermally coupled to the first plate. The thermoelectric device also includes a fourth plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements and thermally coupled to the second plate. The system also includes a dielectric fluid arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The thermoelectric elements are submersed in the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: A low light failure high power LED street lamp and a manufacturing method therefor. Color mark is made on tail end of N-type semiconductor element (6) or P-type semiconductor element (7); then N-type and P-type semiconductor element (6, 7) are arranged in matrix manner between upper beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (8) and lower beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (9), so that head end of N-type semiconductor element (6) is connected with tail end of P-type semiconductor element (7) or tail end of N-type semiconductor element (6) is connected with head end of P-type semiconductor element (7), then lower beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (9) is attached, through graphene thermal conductive greaseon layer (4), on backside of circuit board (2) which is mounted with LED bulbs (3), and heat sink (15) is mounted on upper beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (8), then circuit board (2) together with heat sink (15) are mounted into street lamp housing (1).

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the substrate. A plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements may be disposed within the dielectric layer that are connected in series while alternating between the p-type and the n-type thermoelectric elements. The integrated circuit may include first and second substrates each having formed thereon a plurality of thermoelectric legs of a respective type of thermoelectric material. The first and second thermoelectric substrates also may have respective conductors, each coupled to a base of an associated thermoelectric leg and forming a mounting pad for coupling to a thermoelectric leg of the counterpart substrate.

Abstract: A method for packaging a thermoelectric module may include thermoelectric module accommodation, of accommodating at least one thermoelectric module in a housing having a base and a sidewall, electric wire sealing, of sealing an electric wire of the thermoelectric module with a sealing tube, bonding member interposing, of placing a cover having a top portion and a sidewall on top of the housing and interposing a bonding member between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover, and bonding, of bonding the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover that are hermetically sealed by the bonding member, in which the bonding member may be formed of a resin material.

Abstract: Hand-held electronic devices and methods for improving thermal behavior of such devices are provided. In this regard, a representative hand-held electronic device includes: a processor operative to execute instructions; a kinetic energy harvester operative to generate electrical power responsive to movement of the hand-held electronic device; and a Peltier component in thermal communication with the processor, the Peltier component being operative to receive power from the kinetic energy harvester and to remove heat from the processor.

Abstract: A thermoelectric semiconducting assembly. Two parallel plates, a first plate and a second plate, are spaced apart. A plurality of pellets are fitted into said first plate and into said second plate, each said pellet comprising a body, a first cap, and a second cap, said body including a silicon material, said first cap and said second cap including an electrically resistive ceramic material, each pellet in said second plate being connected to a pellet in said first plate. Each pellet includes a doped body, wherein half of said pellets are doped with a p-type dopant to form a p-type pellet and half of said pellets are doped with an n-type dopant to form an n-type pellet. Each plate includes p-type pellets and n-type pellets in an alternating pattern, and each p-type pellet in said first plate connects with an n-type pellet in said second plate, and wherein each n-type pellet in said first plate connects with a p-type pellet in said second plate.

Abstract: A system includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is arranged to be thermally coupled to a first surface and the second plate is arranged to be thermally coupled to an environment. The environment has a temperature that is different than the first surface. The system also includes a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric device includes a third plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements and thermally coupled to the first plate. The thermoelectric device also includes a fourth plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements and thermally coupled to the second plate. The system also includes a dielectric fluid arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The thermoelectric elements are submersed in the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: For directly converting heat to electrical energy, for example in a spacecraft operating in space, at least one thermoelectric generator module is arranged in an evacuated chamber so as to receive thermal radiation from a heat source through the interior vacuum within the interior of the chamber. The thermoelectric generator module converts a portion of the received heat to electrical energy and rejects a portion of the heat by thermal conduction to a thermally conducting cooling body such as the chamber wall or directly by thermal radiation to the surrounding vacuum of space.

Abstract: For the thin-film thermo-electric generator and fabrication method of this invention, a P-type thermo-electric thin-film layer, an insulating thin-film layer and a N-type thermo-electric thin-film layer is deposited on a substrate to form a three-layer PN junction, multiple three-layer PN junctions in series are available, an insulating thin-film layer is provided between every to serial three-layer PN junctions, and electrodes are extracted from the substrate and the outermost thin-film layer of the last three-layer thin-film PN junctions.

Abstract: The sensor is made on a semiconductor substrate covered with an electrically insulating layer. The electrically insulating layer separates a thermocouple from the substrate. It includes a first portion presenting a first value of capacitance per unit area and a second portion presenting a second value of capacitance per unit area, which is lower than the first value. The sensor includes first and second output terminals connected to the thermocouple. The first output terminal includes a first capacitor having a first electrode formed by a first leg made of an electrically conducting material. The second electrode of the capacitor is formed by a part of the substrate facing said first leg and separated from the first electrode by the first portion of the electrically insulating layer. The first leg connects the thermocouple while overlapping the second portion of the electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes: a first substrate having water permeability and thermal conductivity; a thermoelectric conversion element provided on the first substrate; a heat insulator having water permeability provided around the thermoelectric conversion element on the first substrate; and a second substrate disposed on the thermoelectric conversion element and the heat insulator and having water permeability and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.

Abstract: Traditional power generation systems using thermoelectric power generators are designed to operate most efficiently for a single operating condition. The present invention provides a power generation system in which the characteristics of the thermoelectrics, the flow of the thermal power, and the operational characteristics of the power generator are monitored and controlled such that higher operation efficiencies and/or higher output powers can be maintained with variably thermal power input. Such a system is particularly beneficial in variable thermal power source systems, such as recovering power from the waste heat generated in the exhaust of combustion engines.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator including a plurality of thermoelectric elements placed on substrates, wherein a thermal conductivity of each substrate is defined as: ? S ? 9 ? ? ? TE ? L S L TE Where: ?S=thermal conductivity of each substrate, ?TE=thermal conductivity of each thermoelectric element, LS=thickness of each substrate, LTE=thickness of each thermoelectric element.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine has a thermoelectric power generator with a hot side and a cold side. The hot side is arranged on the exhaust gas system and is heatable by exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. A first heat exchanger having a first thermal conductivity is arranged between the hot side and the exhaust gas flow. At least a second thermoelectric power generator is arranged on the exhaust gas system and has a second heat exchanger with a thermal conductivity that is different from the first thermal conductivity. The arrangement of thermoelectric power generators can generate electric power over a significantly wider operating point range of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: This patent incorporates several new hybrid thermoelectric element and thermoelectric device designs that utilize additional electronic materials to enhance the flow of charges in the thermoelectric elements without changing thermoelectric nature of the thermoelectric material used. The thermoelectric device efficiency is thereby increased and cost and size are lowered. Thermoelectric conversion devices using the new design criteria have demonstrated comparative higher performance than current commercially available standard design thermoelectric conversion devices.

Abstract: Thermoelectric modules and methods of making thermoelectric modules that include a plurality of row couples each comprising interconnected pairs of n-type and p-type thermoelectric material legs between a first bonding area and a second bonding area, a first connector bonded to each of the first bonding areas of the plurality of row couples, and a second connector bonded to each of the second bonding areas of the plurality of row couples, wherein the first and second connectors provide mechanical support for and electrical connection between the plurality of row couples. The first and second connectors may be connector members having a patterned conductive surface to define a circuit configuration for the module.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion material is provided, in which only a desired crystal is selectively precipitated. An MxV2O5 crystal is selectively precipitated in vanadium-based glass, wherein M is one metal element selected from the group consisting of iron, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, tungsten, molybdenum, manganese, nickel, copper, silver, an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal, and 0<x<1.

Abstract: An exhaust gas manifold having thermoelectric devices in the exhaust manifold of a stirling engine is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a thermoelectric generator for a vehicle is provided. In particular, a thermoelectric generator is provided that includes a thermoelectric generating unit which is mounted between an exhaust gas inlet pipe through which an exhaust gas flows within and an exhaust gas outlet pipe through which the exhaust gas is discharged. The thermoelectric generating unit also includes a coolant inlet formed on one side thereof and a coolant outlet formed on the other side. More specifically, the thermoelectric generator is formed by assembling a plurality of unit modules which each have thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: An accumulated type thermoelectric generator that includes an assembly of a plurality of unit modules in which a first thermoelectric element and a second thermoelectric element are installed, is mounted between an exhaust gas inlet pipe and an exhaust gas outlet pipe. A coolant inlet is formed within an upper portion of an outermost unit module in a direction of the exhaust gas outlet pipe, and a coolant outlet is formed within a lower portion of an outermost unit module in a direction of the exhaust gas inlet pipe. A pair of exhaust gas flow paths through which exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust gas inlet pipe flows may be formed on left and right sides of the unit module, and a pair of coolant flow paths through which coolant flowing into the coolant inlet flows is formed within upper and lower sides of the unit module.

Abstract: A thermoelectric segment and a method for fabricating. The fabricating includes forming structures by depositing thin-film metal-semiconductor multilayers on substrates and depositing metal layers on the multilayers, joining metal bonding layers to form dual structures with combined bonding layers; and removing at least one of the substrates; and using the dual structure to form a thermoelectric segments. The method can include dicing the dual structures before or after removing the substrates. The method can include depositing additional bonding layers and joining dual structures to make thermoelectric segments of different thicknesses. Each multilayer can be about 5-10 ?m thick. Each bonding layer can be about 1-2 ?m thick. The bonding layers can be made of a material having high thermal and electrical conductivity. The multilayers can be (Hf,Zr,Ti,W)N/(Sc,Y,La,Ga,In,Al)N superlattice layers. Metal nitride layers can be deposited between each of the bonding layers and multilayers.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device and a selective absorber film are provided. The thermoelectric conversion device includes at least one first selective absorber film, a cold terminal substrate, at least one first thermoelectric element pair, a first conductive substrate and a second conductive substrate. The first selective absorber film non-contactly absorbs a preset limited wavelength band of heat radiation. The first thermoelectric element pair is disposed between the first selective absorber film and the cold terminal substrate, and includes a first N-type thermoelectric element and a first P-type thermoelectric element. The first conductive substrate is disposed between the cold terminal substrate and the first N-type thermoelectric element. The second conductive substrate is disposed between the cold terminal substrate and the first P-type thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric element has a first substrate at a high temperature side, a second substrate at a low temperature side facing the first substrate, a thermoelectric material placed on the second substrate via a silicon layer, a first electrode formed on the first substrate, and a second electrode formed on the silicon layer. The thermoelectric element has a stress releasing section which is formed between the first electrode and the thermoelectric material, and which includes a plurality of columnar portions. The stress releasing section suppresses defects such as cracks that might be produced in the thermoelectric element due to a stress generated in the thermoelectric element.

Abstract: An integrated micro-combustion power generator converts hydrocarbon fuel into electricity. The integrated micro-scale power generator includes a micro-machined combustor adapted to convert hydrocarbon fuel into thermal energy and a micro-machined thermoelectric generator adapted to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy. The combustion reaction in the combustor flows in a path in a first plane while the thermal energy flows in a second plane in the generator; the second plane being nearly orthogonal or orthogonal to the first plane. The fuel handler in the combustor is adjacent and thermally isolated from the thermoelectric generator. The fuel handler may include a nozzle and gas flow switch, where the frequency of activation of the gas flow switch controls the amount of the fuel ejected from the nozzle.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation method using a thermoelectric generator includes: placing a thermoelectric generator in a temperature-changing atmosphere; drawing to outside a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between first and second support members when the temperature of the second support member is higher than that of the first support member, and that flows from a second thermoelectric conversion member to a first thermoelectric conversion member, using first and second output sections as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively; and drawing to outside a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between the first and second support members when the temperature of the first support member is higher than that of the second support member, and that flows from a fourth thermoelectric conversion member to a third thermoelectric conversion member, using third and fourth output sections as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (100, 220) includes a plurality of conductor portions (120-124) including a first angled side portion (134) and a second angled side portion (135). The thermoelectric device (100, 220) also includes a plurality of conductor members (170-174) including a first angled side section (181) and a second angled side section (182). A plurality of P-type thermoelectric members (210-213) interconnect corresponding ones of the first angled side portions (134) with the first angled side sections (181). A plurality of N-type thermoelectric members (200-204) interconnect corresponding ones of the second angled side portions (135) with the second angled side sections (182). Electric flow through the plurality of conductor portions (120-124) and the plurality of conductor members (170-174) passes along a first predefined curvilinear path and a heat flux passes along a second predefined curvilinear path.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation apparatus includes a thermoelectric device having a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a first thermal energy storage unit operatively coupled to the first surface of the thermoelectric device setting the first surface at a first temperature. The thermoelectric power generation apparatus also includes a second thermal energy storage unit having a second temperature, the second thermal energy unit for setting the second surface of the thermoelectric device at an operative temperature in response to a temperature difference between the first temperature of the first surface and the second temperature of the second thermal energy storage unit. The thermoelectric device generates power in response to a temperature differential between the first temperature of the first surface and the operative temperature of the second surface.

Abstract: A module having a plurality of thermoelectric elements electrically connected in series, each being made of at least one n-layer and at least one p-layer made of thermoelectric material with a pn-transition implemented along a boundary layer. A temperature gradient parallel to the boundary layer between a hot and a cold side of each thermoelectric element can be applied or detected. Resistances of the electrical contacts of the individual thermoelectric elements are reduced and the thermal connection to a heat sink or heat source is improved for generating a temperature gradient along the boundary layer. The substrate and the thermoelectric elements are produced in separate processes, and the thermoelectric elements are adhered to previously structured, thermally and electrically conductive regions of the substrate using different adhesives for the cold and hot side of each thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes an inner circumferential surface, an axis and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of semiconductor elements is disposed with thermoelectric material in the direction of the axis and between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and are electrically interconnected in an alternating manner. At least one part of the semiconductor elements has at least one inner frame part or an outer frame part. At least some of the inner frame parts form an interrupted inner circumferential surface or outer frame parts form an interrupted outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine has a thermoelectric power generator with a hot side and a cold side. The hot side is arranged on the exhaust gas system and is heatable by exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. A first heat exchanger having a first thermal conductivity is arranged between the hot side and the exhaust gas flow. At least a second thermoelectric power generator is arranged on the exhaust gas system and has a second heat exchanger with a thermal conductivity that is different from the first thermal conductivity. The arrangement of thermoelectric power generators can generate electric power over a significantly wider operating point range of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An integrated micro-scale power converter converts hydrocarbon fuel into electricity. The integrated micro-scale power converter includes a micromachined combustor adapted to convert hydrocarbon fuel into thermal energy and a micromachined thermoelectric generator adapted to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy. The combustion reaction in the combustor flows in a path in a first plane while the thermal energy flows in a second plane in the generator the second plane being nearly orthogonal or orthogonal to the first plane. The fuel handler in the combustor is adjacent and thermally isolated from the thermoelectric generator. The fuel handler may include a nozzle and gas flow switch, where the frequency of activation of the gas flow switch controls the amount of the fuel ejected from the nozzle.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module which has a P-type thermoelectric conversion material and an N-type thermoelectric conversion material electrically connected to each other. The P-type thermoelectric conversion material and the N-type thermoelectric conversion material are joined with insulating material particles (ceramic spherical particles) interposed therebetween, so as not to be electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: In a thermoelectric conversion module, each of a p-type element and an n-type element is configured by aligning a plurality of particles in series and connecting the particles to each other. Around a connection part in which the particles are connected to each other, a protrusion is protruded. The protrusion has a shape of continuously extending around the entire periphery of the connection part. The protrusion may be partly interrupted, but in such a case, a circumferential length of one interrupted portion is less than one half of the periphery of the connection part.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator has a hot side heat exchanger having a silicon carbide (SiC) honeycomb support with a plurality of passages. The passage walls are coated with a pyrophoric solid fuel such as red oxide (Fe2O3) in combination with a silicon (Si) binder. A quantum well thermoelectric device is positioned between the hot side heat exchanger and heat sink. The performance of the thermoelectric generator is comparable to fuel cells. The thermoelectric generator is small and portable.

Abstract: Traditional power generation systems using thermoelectric power generators are designed to operate most efficiently for a single operating condition. The present invention provides a power generation system in which the characteristics of the thermoelectrics, the flow of the thermal power, and the operational characteristics of the power generator are monitored and controlled such that higher operation efficiencies and/or higher output powers can be maintained with variably thermal power input. Such a system is particularly beneficial in variable thermal power source systems, such as recovering power from the waste heat generated in the exhaust of combustion engines.

Abstract: A generator device for converting thermal energy to electric energy. A magnetic circuit includes at least a portion made of a magnetic material. A temperature-varying device varied the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A coil is arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A magnetic flux generator creates magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. The temperature-varying device alternately passes hot and cold fluid by, or through holes in, the portion made of the magnetic material of the magnetic circuit in a single direction to thereby vary the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below the phase transition temperature of the magnetic material.

Abstract: The present invention according to one preferred embodiment provides a thermoelectric element device comprising a first electrode including an electrode member, an elastic member that has electrically conductive and is provided on the electrode member, and a heat uniforming member that has electrically conductive and is provided on the elastic member; a thermoelectric element that is made of a thermoelectric material having thermoelectric effect and arranged on the first electrode so as to contact the heat uniforming member; and a second electrode arranged on the thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a first substrate, a second substrate having a second surface which is apart from and faces a first surface of the first substrate, a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on the first and the second surfaces, a plurality of electrodes on the first and second surfaces each electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and a ground electrode on at least the first surface. The plurality of electrodes on at least the first surface comprises a plurality of columns each of which comprises two or more electrodes aligned in a longitudinal direction, and the ground electrode is between two adjacent columns among the plurality of columns.